Relationships among walking speed, selected clinical symptoms, and exercise self-efficacy in individuals with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

PurposeOsteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by a combination of joint symptoms and signs stemming from defects in the articular cartilage and adjacent tissues, such as bone, synovial joint capsule, muscles, and ligaments. Knee OA is among the most common causes of pain and disability in middle-aged and older people. This study investigated the relationships among selected clinical symptoms (pain, stiffness, physical function), walking speed, and exercise self-efficacy in individuals with knee OA in Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodsThe study involved 100 individuals diagnosed with knee OA. Exercise self-efficacy was assessed with the exercise self-efficacy scale. Pain, stiffness, and physical function were evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire. Walking speed was determined during the 20-meter walk test. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation test, with significance level set at 0.05.ResultsSignificant correlations were observed between pain intensity and walking speed (ρ = –0.38), stiffness and walking speed (ρ = –0.19), physical function and walking speed (ρ = –0.40), pain intensity and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.43), stiffness and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.46), physical function and exercise self-efficacy (ρ = –0.41). More than 50% of the participants with knee OA had low exercise self-efficacy and moderate walking speed. Individuals with higher levels of pain, stiffness, and functional limitations showed lower levels of exercise self-efficacy and lower walking speed.ConclusionsIndividuals with knee OA presented low exercise self-efficacy, low walking speed, and reduced physical function, probably because of the debilitating effects of the condition.