The Effects of Home-Based Rehabilitation Treatments Among Persons With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability and pain among adults. Recent evidence suggests that shorter exercise programs that incorporate kinesthesia, balance and agility (KBA) techniques may result in more rapid symptom relief and functional improvements in comparison to traditional therapeutic exercise. KBA techniques are designed to improve dynamic joint stability by using a series of activities which challenge balance and coordination. To determine the independent effects of KBA training on functional abilities, it is necessary to test it as a training program unto itself. The proposed clinical trial is designed to do this by using three training groups: KBA only; lower extremity strength training only; and a combination of the two. The total exercise time and intensity of each condition will be approximately equal. A non-exercise group will control for any effects related to the testing procedures and the passage of time. Community volunteer men and women age 50 and over with physician diagnosed symptomatic knee OA will participate.

• Other: KBA exercise
  KBA exercise protocol, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
• Other: strength training exercise
  strength training exercise, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
• Other: KBA and strength training
  KBA and strength training exercise, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
• Other: Control group
  8 week control group

• Experimental: 1
  KBA exercise protocol
  Intervention: Other: KBA exercise
• Experimental: 2
  strength training exercise protocol
  Intervention: Other: strength training exercise
• Experimental: 3
  KBA and strength training protocol
  Intervention: Other: KBA and strength training
• Sham Comparator: 4
  Intervention: Other: Control group

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 50 years or over of either gender
• Self-reported knee pain
• Physician diagnosed tibiofemoral OA, unilateral or bilateral, per ACR guidelines
• Demonstrated minimal knee OA related dysfunction per WOMAC score
• Not engaged in a regular leg exercise program for minimum of 6 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• High risk health status per (e.g.) ACSM guidelines
• Inability to obtain physician release for exercise
• Unresolved balance disorder
• Unresolved neurological disorder
• History of knee surgery or major knee trauma injury
• Hip or ankle instability, excessive weakness, surgery or major trauma injury
• Hip or knee replacement
• Intra-articular joint injection within 4 weeks of the study