Comparison between Aquatic and Thera-Band Exercises on Pain Intensity and Endurance among Obese Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) causes pain, stiffness, muscular weakness, and walking difficulties, leading to physical inactivity and consequently the rise in obesity as a public health concern. This study aimed to compare the effects of aquatic and Thera-band exercises on pain intensity and endurance among obese people with KOA. In a cross-sectional study, 45 obese participants (n = 45; male = 22, female = 23) with KOA (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg.m^-2) were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups; aquatic exercise (AqG), Thera-band exercise (TBG) and control (CG) groups. For eight weeks, the AqG and TBG groups performed the exercise program twice weekly at 60 min per session. The Mixed-ANOVA statistical analysis revealed significant differences among the effects of aquatic exercise, Thera-band exercise, and CG after eight weeks in terms of pain intensity (F: 2, 42= 34.18, p < 0.001) and endurance (F: 2, 42 = 11.425, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, both intervention groups had a significant effect on pain intensity (p<0.001) and only AqG revealed a significant difference in endurance (p < 0.046) compared with the CG. In addition, there was no significant difference between AqG and TBG in the improvement of pain intensity (p = 0.896) and endurance (p = 0.072). In conclusion, progressive aquatic and Thera-band exercises are alternative suggestions to improve pain intensity and aquatic exercise can also be more advantageous to recover endurance among people with KOA.