A Systematic Review on Comparison between Otago Exercise Program and Balance Exercise in Balance and Fall Risk among elderly with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Patients with knee osteoarthritis have balance issues and an increased fall risk; nevertheless, it is unclear whether the Otago exercise programme (OEP) or balance exercise will improve balance and reduce fall risk among individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Therefore, there is a need to compare the effectiveness of these exercises in treating knee osteoarthritis. This review aims to investigate the effects of an OEP and balance exercise programme to improve balance and reduce fall risk among the elderly population with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methodology: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) were used to conduct this systematic review. Four databases (PubMed, Cochrane central register of controlled trails (CENTRAL), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Science Direct) were searched until September 2022 using predefined terms by two independent reviewers. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using PEDro. All literature published from each source was selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data extraction was performed independently with the outcomes of the Berg balance scale (BBS), time up and go test (TUG), chair stand test (CST), and short falls efficacy scale (SFES I). RESULT: The literature review studied seven full-text articles that met the selection criteria and PRISMA guidelines. Those articles were reviewed by grouping them into five different sub-groups based on the interventions. The quality of studies ranged from good (5 studies) to fair (2 studies). The improvement in balance and fall risk prevention following OEP and balance training showed mixed results, and the findings from this review may form the basis for a future systematic research program. CONCLUSION: It is difficult to conclude clear evidence-based recommendations for Otago exercise programmes and balance exercises in improving balance and reducing fall risk among the elderly population with knee OA due to limited availability and weak evidence. KEYWORDS: Fall risk, community dwelling older adults, elderly population, knee osteoarthritis.