A revised group exercise program for osteoarthritis of the knee

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee is a prevalent condition affecting physical function and quality of life.
• Previous group exercise programs at this center showed limited efficacy in improving pain, physical function, or gait in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured group exercise program, supplemented with a home exercise regimen, for knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing physiotherapy.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on pain levels, physical function, and quantitative gait parameters.

Main Methods:

• A repeated-measures study design with a two-month follow-up was employed.
• Participants (n=40) with knee OA were enrolled in a group exercise program.
• Pain was measured using visual analogue scales, physical function with the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire, and gait with an electric foot switch walkway.

Main Results:

• Over 90% of participants showed significant improvements in pain and physical function scores post-program, without increased medication, walking aid use, or fatigue.
• Objective gait variables, including velocity, cadence, and stride length, significantly increased at both normal and fast walking speeds, with no decline in gait symmetry.
• All observed improvements were sustained at the two-month follow-up assessment.

Conclusions:

• A clinically feasible group exercise program, combined with a home program, effectively reduces pain and enhances physical function in knee OA patients.
• The intervention leads to objective improvements in gait parameters, suggesting a positive impact on mobility and biomechanics.
• The sustained improvements indicate the long-term benefits of this exercise approach for managing knee osteoarthritis.