Knee Osteoarthristis
Conditions
Keywords
Knee Osteoarthritis, Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Pain, WOMAC, Proprioception, Six-Minute Walk Test, SF-36, Gender Differences
Brief summary
This comparative experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy (SMGWBP) in patients with knee osteoarthritis and compare treatment outcomes between male and female participants. Participants will receive a 6-week physiotherapy program with assessments conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (3 weeks), and post-intervention (6 weeks) using validated outcome measures.
Detailed description
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder associated with pain, impaired physical function, reduced proprioception, decreased mobility, and poor quality of life. Physiotherapy plays a central role in the conservative management of KOA by reducing pain and improving functional performance. Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy (SMGWBP) integrates sensory stimulation with progressive weight-bearing exercises to enhance neuromuscular control, balance, proprioception, and functional recovery. This comparative experimental study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SMGWBP in individuals with Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III knee osteoarthritis and to compare treatment outcomes between male and female participants. A total of 52 participants will be recruited through purposive sampling. All participants will receive a standardized 6-week physiotherapy program consisting of three supervised sessions per week. Outcome assessments will be performed at three time points: baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (3 weeks), and post-intervention (6 weeks). The primary and secondary outcome measures include pain intensity measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), physical function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), proprioception using the Joint Position Sense (JPS) test, gait performance using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), health-related quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and treatment compliance. The study will examine changes in these outcomes over time and compare the effectiveness of the intervention between male and female participants.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy
A structured six-week Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy Programme consisting of three supervised sessions per week (18 sessions total). Each session includes warm-up, sensory modulation, proprioceptive training, graded weight-bearing strengthening, functional mobility exercises, and cool-down activities. The programme progresses through three phases: Weeks 1-2 focus on sensory activation and proprioceptive training; Weeks 3-4 on graded weight-bearing strengthening; and Weeks 5-6 on functional weight-bearing integration. Exercises are progressed according to participant tolerance, pain severity, and functional performance. Both male and female groups receive the same intervention.
Sponsors
Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This study will evaluate the effect of Sensory Modulated Graded Weight Bearing Physiotherapy and compare the treatment response between male and female participants. The study will include two parallel groups: a male group and a female group. Both groups will receive the same physiotherapy intervention for 6 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention to determine whether the effectiveness of the intervention differs between male and female participants.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participants are eligible for inclusion if they meet the following criteria: * Age between 40 and 60 years. * Diagnosed with Grade II or Grade III Knee Osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence Classification. * Ability to ambulate independently without assistive devices. * Mild to moderate pain intensity with a Visual Analogue Scale score less than seven. * Ability to understand and follow instructions. * Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Participants are excluded if they meet any of the following criteria: * History of knee surgery within the previous six months. * Neurological disorders affecting balance, gait, or proprioception. * Severe cardiovascular disease limiting participation in exercise. * Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritic conditions. * Severe cognitive impairment. * Any medical condition that contraindicates participation in rehabilitation exercises.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Pain Intensity Measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), 0-10; lower scores indicate less pain | Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 | To compare the effect of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy on pain intensity between male and female patients with knee osteoarthritis |
| Change in Physical Function Measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Physical Function Subscale, 0-68; lower scores indicate better function | Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 | To compare the effect of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy on physical function between male and female patients with knee osteoarthritis |
| Change in Knee Joint Proprioception Measured by the Joint Position Sense (JPS) Test (absolute repositioning error in degrees; lower values indicate better proprioception) | Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 | To compare the effect of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy on proprioception between male and female patients with knee osteoarthritis |
| Change in mobility Measured by the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), distance walked in meters; higher values indicate better gait performance | Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 | To compare the effect of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy on mobility between male and female patients with knee osteoarthritis |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Health-Related Quality of Life Measured by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), 0-100; higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life | Baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 | To compare the effect of Sensory-Modulated Graded Weight-Bearing Physiotherapy on health-related quality of life between male and female patients with knee osteoarthritis |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed