Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
The Lower Body Positive Pressure Treadmill for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation
Published on: July 22, 2019
FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Edinilson Bertoldo da Silva1, Camila Vitelli Molinari2, Claudio Cazarini2
1Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericordia de Sao Paulo, Hospital Sao Luiz Gonzaga, Serviço de Fisioterapia, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a disabling inflammatory disease that makes walking and activities of daily living difficult. This condition can reduce functional capacity and increase the risk for surgery.
Objective:
To know the functional capacity of patients with KOA evaluated by the six-minute walk test (6MWT).
Method:
This cross-sectional study evaluated age, gender, weight, BMI, pain (VAS 90-100), physical disability (WOMAC 0-96), degree of joint damage by radiographic imaging, and 6MWT.
Results:
A total of 176 patients referred by Orthopedics were evaluated, with the inclusion of 164 participants. The mean age was 61.89 ± 10.62 years, 81% women, 67% with cardiovascular disease, hypertension and/or diabetes, 81% obese, with moderate pain (VAS 47.74 ± 29.27) and according to WOMAC, most had severe or very severe disability. The distance covered in the 6MWT was 354.03 ± 102.03m, 67% of the predicted distance. The maximum heart rate achieved was 107.27 ± 17.71 bpm, which characterizes 68% of the predicted by age. Only 12% of the sample showed a marked drop in oxygenation in the 6MWT and 40% had a recovery heart rate in the 1st minute below 15 bpm.
Conclusion:
Patients with KOA, who were evaluated by the 6MWT, have low functional capacity and physical deconditioning.
