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Published on: July 22, 2019
Hospital-based versus home-based proprioceptive and strengthening exercise programs in knee osteoarthritis
Volga Bayrakcı Tunay1, Gül Baltacı, Ahmet Ozgür Atay
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey. volgatunay@hacettepe.edu.tr
Objectives:
This study aimed to establish the effects of hospital- and home-based proprioceptive and strengthening exercise programs on proprioception, pain, and functional status in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods:
Sixty patients with bilateral knee OA were randomly allocated into either a home-based or hospital-based exercise program. Hospital-based exercise group (n=30, mean age 50.23±9.07 years) received functional training program with proprioceptive ability, ice, and home exercises. Home-based exercise group (n=30, mean age 54.4±7.9 years) had a program of ice and home exercises. Treatment programs was conducted 5 days per week for 6 weeks (30 sessions). Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Monitorized Functional Squat System-Proprioceptive Test (MFSS), timed performance test (TUG), and visual analogue scale (VAS) for the intensity of pain were used to quantify the variables.
Results:
Both groups demonstrated significant improvement when pre- and post-treatment results were compared for pain intensity, WOMAC, and TUG test scores (p<0.05). No statistically significant improvement was found in proprioception of the home-based group (p>0.05). Hospital-based group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in MFSS, TUG test, and VAS in activity when compared with the home-based group (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Both hospital- and home-based exercise programs decreased joint symptoms and improved function in patients with knee OA.