Effect of Body Weight-Supported Exercise on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Follow-up Investigation.

Abstract

To examine the long-term effect of participation in a 12-week lower-body positive pressure (LBPP)-supported low-load treadmill exercise regime on knee joint pain, physical function, and thigh muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Prospective, observational, repeated measures. Clinical orthopedic setting. Nineteen overweight patients with knee OA. Participants exercised under low-load treadmill walking conditions 2×/week for 12 weeks using an amount of LBPP support that minimized knee pain while walking for a period of 30 minutes at a set speed of 3.1 mph at 0-degree incline. Knee pain, function, thigh muscle strength, and body anthropometry were reassessed a minimum of 6 months after completion of the initial exercise regime and compared with results from baseline and postexercise evaluation. Data suggested that: (1) patients were able to maintain improvements in knee joint pain and symptoms; (2) patients continued to report enhanced joint function and improved quality of life; and (3) patients maintained thigh muscle strength gains. Finally, a majority of patients continued to experience significant reductions in acute knee pain during full weight-bearing treadmill walking. Data suggest that improvements in knee pain, joint function, and thigh muscle strength associated with participation in a 12-week LBPP-supported low-load exercise regime were maintained well after cessation of the program. These findings have important implications for the development and refinement of exercise strategies and interventions used in the long-term management of joint symptoms associated with knee OA in overweight patients.