Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of stretching exercise and aquatic exercise program on flexibility, pain and quality of life (QoL) in patients with osteoarthritis. Methods: Fifty elderly women were assigned either to the stretching exercise (SEG, n=25) or to the aquatic exercise groups (AEG, n=25) after 6-week self-help education program. SEG carried out supervised stretching exercise and water exercise training program was conducted by AEG (60 min/day, 2 days/wk) for 8 weeks. Flexibility, pain, and quality of life were measured by Senior Fitness Test Manual (Rikli & Jones, 2gr5), pain rating scale (0-10) and the questionnaire by World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (Min et al., 2gr0), respectively. Results: Both SEG (all, p&H;.05) and AEG (all, p&H;.05) increased left upper and lower-body flexibility, measured by a measuring tape. Pain significantly decreased both in SEG (p=.000) and AEG (p=.004). Quality of life was significantly improved only for the SEG. Conclusion: The 8-week stretching exercise program would significantly improve flexibility, pain control and QoL in patients with osteoarthritis.
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