Exercise on balance and function for knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

To assess balance and function of symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and investigate the influence of physical exercise.

Subjects were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 15), symptomatic knee OA; Group 2 (n = 11), asymptomatic knee OA; and Group 3 (n = 16), knee OA and no intervention. History of falls, the WOMAC questionnaire, balance and functionality were assessed.

After intervention, there was a significant difference in the total WOMAC score and in the pain and function domains only in Group 1. After intervention, Group 2 showed significant differences in decreased time on the Step Up/Over test and postural sway increased.

After the intervention, the symptomatic group reported improvement in pain and function on the WOMAC, while the asymptomatic group showed improvement in performance in the Step Up/Over test. There were no new episodes of falls in groups 1 and 2.