The effect of progressive resistance exercise program on female knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To discuss the effect of progressive resistance exercise (PRE) program on female knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods A prospective study including 92 female KOA patients was performed in the department of Rehabilitation and Orthopedics in second hospital of HeBei Medical university from August 2013 to September 2014, the average age was (55±11) years (rang from 40-70 years). All subjects were randomly divided into the experimental group (46 cases) and control group (46 cases). Subjects in experimental group participated PRE program and joint mobilization triple once a week. Subjects in the control group only participated joint mobilization. Assessments of pain, muscle strength, walking distance, function and quality of life were performed at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery by a blinded assessor with The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the MOS item short from health survey (SF-36). After finishing the treatment, Satisfaction survey was conducted in all patients using Likert Scale. Results Both groups have one case dropped out, completed ratio of 12 months of follow-up was 96.7%. At 6 weeks and 12 weeks after surgery, VAS scores in experimental group were lower than control group [experimental group: 6 w: (6.0±1.8) scores, 12 w: (4.4±3.0) scores; control group: 6 w: (7.0±1.5) scores, 12 w: (6.5±2.5) scores]. Differences of VAS score between two groups had statistical significance (6 w: t=-2.573, P=0.022, 12 w: t=-2.721, P=0.001). WOMAC indexes in experimental group were higher than the control group [experimental group: 6 w: (40±14) scores, 12 w: (31±14) scores; control group: 6 w: (24±17) scores, 12 w: (38±13) scores], differences of WOMAC score between two groups had statistically significance (6 w: t=0.001, P=0.017, 12 w: t=-4.263, P=0.001). At 12 weeks postoperatively, the SF-36 scores of physical function and physical role limitation in the experimental group were higher than control group [experimental group: physical function: (50±22) scores, physical role limitation: (48±40) scores; control group: physical function: (32±17) scores, physical role limitation: (17±23) scores], differences of SF-36 score between two groups had statistically significance (physical function: t=-3.601, P<0.001, physical role limitation: t=-2.093, P=0.001). At 12 weeks postoperatively, the experimental group had better muscle strength than the control group [the experimental group: extensor: (11.1±4.9)kg, flexor: (8.6±2.7)kg; the control group: extensor: (6.9±4.2)kg, flexor: (6.3±2.4)kg], differences of 1 RM between two groups had statistically significance (extensor: t=-2.571, P=0.001, flexor: t=-4.882, P<0.001). The ratio of patient satisfaction of the experimental grup was significantly higher than the control group (χ2=17.997, P<0.05). Conclusion The PRE program was effective in reducing pain, improving function and stability of keen among female patients with KOA, our study demonstrate it is better than the traditional rehabilitation trainings. Key words: Osteoarthritis, knee; Pain; Quality of life; Progressive resistance exercise