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Updated: Sep 30, 2026
The Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation
Published on: July 22, 2019
Efficacy of 2 non-weight-bearing interventions, proprioception training versus strength training, for patients with
Da-Hon Lin1, Chien-Ho Janice Lin, Yeong-Fwu Lin
1Department of Orthopaedics, En Chu Kong Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Study Design:
Randomized clinical trial.
Objective:
To investigate the clinical and functional efficacy of 2 different non-weight-bearing exercise regimens, proprioceptive training (PrT) versus strength training (ST), for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Background:
Both strength and proprioceptive training are important interventions for individuals with knee OA. The benefits of weight-bearing exercises are generally recognized in the clinical setting. However, exercising in a standing or weight-bearing position may aggravate symptoms in patients with knee OA.
Methods And Measures:
One hundred eight patients were randomly assigned to the PrT, ST, or no exercise (control) group for an 8-week intervention. Both the PrT and ST interventions consisted of non-weight-bearing exercises. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index-pain (WOMAC-pain) and -function scores, walking time on 3 different terrains, knee strength, and absolute knee reposition error were assessed before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVAs.
Results:
Both PrT and ST significantly improved WOMAC-pain and -function score after intervention (P<.008). The improvement secondary to ST in the WOMAC-function scores (17.2 points) and for knee extension strength (10.3-14.9 Nm) was greater than the minimally clinically important difference for these measurements. The PrT group demonstrated greater improvement in walking time on a spongy surface and knee reposition error than the other 2 groups. No improvements were apparent in the control group.
Conclusion:
Both types of non-weight-bearing exercises (PrT and ST) significantly improved outcomes in this study. PrT led to greater improvements in proprioceptive function, while ST resulted in a greater increase in knee extensor muscle strength.
