The Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Home Exercise on Pain and Disability in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an aerobic exercise program versus a home based exercise program on pain and disability in patients with osteoarthritis. Material and Methods: Sixty women with the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis were randomized to aerobic exercise or home exercise program. The first group performed aerobic exercise 3 times weekly, the second group performed a home exercise program daily for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included VAS (visual analogue scales) and WOMAC (Western Ontario Mc Master Osteoarthritis Index) pain score for pain, WOMAC physical function and stiffness scores for disability and stiffness, and HAD (The hospital anxiety and depression scale) for anxiety and depression. Results: Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in VAS pain, WOMAC pain, physical function and stiffness scores (p< 0.001). Both of the groups also demonstrated significant improvements in anxiety and depression scores (p< 0.01). Except VAS pain score there were no significant differences between the groups (p> 0.05). VAS pain score was significantly lower in the aerobic exercise group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise and a simple program of home quadriceps exercises provided significant improvements in pain, stiffness, disability, anxiety and depression in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Exercise should be prescribed as part of the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2007 by Türk Tibbi Rehabilitasyon Kurumu Derneǧi.