Effect of Agility Exercises on Knee Health Status among Patients with Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of disability due to limitations of joint movement and accounts for more hospitalisations which ultimately result in increased health care costs. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of agility exercises on knee health status among patients with osteoarthritis. It was a quasi experimental study--one group pre-test post-test control group design- conducted over a period of three months in 50 subjects who were diagnosed as having mild and moderate knee osteoarthritis attending outpatient department of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. Basic socio-demographic and clinical data of subjects were assessed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Knee related health status was assessed using WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Control group subjects were selected initially and given demonstration of range of motion and quadriceps setting exercises. Experimental group subjects were selected in the second half of the study and given demonstration of agility exercises along with range of motion and quadriceps setting exercises. All the subjects continued their prescribed medications also in home. A close relative is entrusted to supervise the exercises in home and the researcher herself called all the subjects daily to get the feedback. A home work exercise dairy was given to write the details of exercises done at home. Subjects were assessed after two weeks using WOMAC osteoarthritis index. Statistical analysis showed that both groups are comparable on the basis of baseline sociodemographic and clinical data and there was significant improvement in knee-related health status among experimental group subjects (p < 0.001). The results suggests that agility exercises can be included along with conventional exercise programme in patients with knee osteoarthritis.