Aquatic versus land-based exercise for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Knee osteoarthritis (OA) management remains a challenge, with ongoing debate regarding the optimal rehabilitation approach.
• Effectiveness of land-based versus aquatic-based rehabilitation for knee OA requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of aquatic-based treatments in improving outcomes for patients with knee OA.
• To compare the efficacy of aquatic exercises against land-based exercises in knee OA rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial comparing land-based exercise (G1, n=30) and aquatic exercise (G2, n=30) over 8 weeks.
• Primary endpoint: 20% decrease in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain subscale.
• Secondary endpoints: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, WOMAC functional and stiffness, Lequesne Index, and SF-12 quality of life scores.

Main Results:

• 93% of the aquatic group (G2) achieved the primary endpoint versus 33% in the land group (G1) (P<0.001).
• Significant improvements in VAS pain, WOMAC stiffness, and Lequesne Index were greater in G2.
• Quality of life (SF-12 physical and mental) showed significantly greater improvement in the aquatic group.

Conclusions:

• Both land-based and aquatic exercises offer benefits for knee OA patients.
• Aquatic-based exercises demonstrate superior efficacy in improving pain, function, and quality of life in knee OA compared to land-based exercises.