Osteoarthritis
Conditions
Keywords
Knee Osteoarthritis, arthritis
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
OTHERKBA exercise
KBA exercise protocol, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
strength training exercise, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
OTHERKBA and strength training
KBA and strength training exercise, 3 times per week for 8 weeks
OTHERControl group
8 week control group
Sponsors
University of Zululand
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| (WOMAC) self assessment of physical function | 8 weeks |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed