Impact of Breathing and Yoga Poses on Kinesiophobia in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Saveetha University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Kinesiophobia; Osteo Arthritis Knee

Treatments: Behavioral: Three typical yoga poses; Behavioral: Deep Breathing exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07325032

332/07/2024/ISRB/UGSR/SCPT

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aimed to determine if deep breathing and conventional physiotherapy were more effective than yoga poses and conventional physiotherapy in reducing kinesiophobia among knee osteoarthritis patients. 40 participants were divided into an experimental and control group, with the experimental group receiving deep breathing exercise and conventional physiotherapy, and the control group receiving yoga poses and conventional physiotherapy.

Full description

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease causing severe pain, stiffness, and functional limitations. It involves synovial proliferation, cartilage degeneration, and structural joint changes. Knee OA is influenced by age, limb use, injury, mechanical stress, genetics, and metabolic factors, with varied clinical presentations. The knee is a complex joint made of the femoropatellar and medial/lateral femorotibial joints. It functions as a condylar synovial joint with tibial and femoral condyles, and also includes menisci that divide the joint space, increasing complexity.

Women are more likely to develop OA, with the knee being the most commonly affected. Around 344 million people require rehabilitation for OA. With rising obesity and injury rates, global OA prevalence is expected to increase. In India, OA rates differ significantly between rural and urban regions. Daily function in OA is affected not only by physical damage but also by psychological factors. Fear and avoidance behaviors can worsen pain, contributing to kinesiophobia and negatively impacting mobility.

Kinesiophobia is an excessive fear of movement or reinjury due to beliefs about pain or harm. It occurs in conditions like shoulder pain, chronic low back pain, and aging. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) is used to assess this fear.

Deep breathing relaxation techniques, including slow inhalation, breath-holding for ~5 seconds, and gentle exhalation, help reduce anxiety by relaxing supporting muscles. Deep breathing promotes emotional control, calmness, better metabolism, and regulates pain and mood through autonomic pathways.

Deep, slow breathing (DSB) can reduce pain, improve mood, and enhance sleep in healthy individuals and OA patients. It is cost-effective, calming, and may reduce joint tension, encouraging better participation in physical activity. Yoga, a mind-body practice with roots in India, enhances balance, coordination, mood, strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Pranayama (breathing) and asanas (postures) together improve both physical and mental well-being. It is considered safe for people of all ages.

Physiotherapy and exercise have been used for nearly a century to treat knee osteoarthritis. They are the second most prescribed treatment after medication. However, the long-term effectiveness and benefits of supervised, home-based, or independent exercise remain uncertain.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 40 - 60
• Documented diagnosis of Osteoarthritis
• Tampa scale Score =<68
• Pain severity score 7-10(severity) on Visual Analog Scale
• Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2): =<220

Exclusion criteria

• Severe Joint Deformity or Instability
• Recent Surgery or Injury
• Severe Range of Motion (ROM) Limitations
• Neurological Conditions
• Cardiovascular or Respiratory Conditions

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Deep Breathing technique and conventional physiotherapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants received Deep Breathing exercise and conventional physiotherapy for five times per week for four weeks with rest periods.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Deep Breathing exercise

Three Yoga poses and conventional physiotherapy

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants received Three Typical yoga poses and conventional physiotherapy for five days each, for a total of four weeks with rest periods.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Three typical yoga poses