Physiotherapy in Knee Osteoarthritis

Lithuanian Sports University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Knee Osteoarthritis

Treatments: Other: Exercise + cryotherapy; Other: Therapeutic exercise; Other: Exercise + joint mobilization

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05636059

LithuanianSportsU-12

Details and patient eligibility

About

Osteoarthritis symptoms can be managed with non-drug treatments such as patient education, exercise or weight loss interventions. Cryotherapy is one of the effective method to reduce joint inflammation, pain and improve function. Another method is joint mobilization, which can also reduce pain and improve function. Based on this theory, it was hypothesized that cryotherapy will have better effect on pain and the quality of life, whereas joint mobilization will be more effective on knee function. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of different physiotherapy methods on pain, knee joint function and quality of life in individuals with osteoarthritis.

Full description

Study included 63 participants with knee osteoarthritis. All subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: exercise group (n=21), exercise + cryotherapy group (n=21), or exercise + joint mobilization group (n=21). VAS scale was used to assess the pain, quality of life was evaluated with Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) questionnaire, knee ranges of motion were measured using a goniometer, strength of the muscles was assessed on the Oxford 5 point scale, The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to evaluate knee osteoarthritis. All the participants received 30 intervention sessions.

Enrollment: 63 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 45 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• stage II of the knee OA;
• affected knee joint;
• pain of at least 3 points on the VAS.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe cardiovascular disease;
• Oncological Disorders;
• Allergy to cold / cold intolerance;
• Impaired lower limbs blood circulation;
• Fear of confined spaces;
• Pregnancy or lactation.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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63 participants in 3 patient groups

Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

32 sessions in total, 2 times a day, 30 min. one session. Exercise program consisted of: cycling stationary bike, isometric and isotonic exercise for knee flexion / extension, hip flexion / extension / abduction / adduction, exercise with resistance bands, weights, and gymnastic ball.

Treatment:

Other: Therapeutic exercise

Exercise + cryotherapy

Experimental group

Description:

Exercise program - 16 sessions in total, once a day, 30 min. one session. Cryotherapy - 8 sessions in total, two-three times a week, one session - 2 min. duration, temperature -60 to -140 C degrees. Exercise program consisted of: cycling stationary bike, isometric and isotonic exercise for knee flexion / extension, hip flexion / extension / abduction / adduction, exercise with resistance bands, weights, and gymnastic ball.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise + cryotherapy

Exercise + joint mobilization

Experimental group

Description:

Exercise program - 16 sessions in total, once a day, 30 min. one session, two-three times a week. Joint mobilization - 8 sessions in total, anterior - posterior tibia femoral glide, patella motion, lateral and medial movement. Exercise program consisted of: cycling stationary bike, isometric and isotonic exercise for knee flexion / extension, hip flexion / extension / abduction / adduction, exercise with resistance bands, weights, and gymnastic ball.

Treatment:

Other: Exercise + joint mobilization