Group exercise for subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee

This study was designed to evaluate an established group exercise program at a large public hospital for subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee(s). Although quantitative gait analysis shows a clear difference between subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee(s) and asymptomatic controls, a significant effect of the group exercise program undertaken was not demonstrated, on either objectively measured gait parameters or subjectively reported pain and function. Possible reasons for this, together with an outline for a revised program and assessment procedure, are discussed.