EFFECT OF STRENGTHENING EXERCISES ON PAIN, STIFFNESS, PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND BODY MASS INDEX IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PARTICIPANTS WHO WERE OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Abstract

Background:

One of the main risk factors for developing osteoarthritis of the knee is obesity; common joint disease characterized by pain, stiffness, and reduced physical function. There is still little data on strengthening exercises for overweight and obese Indian patients with KOA, despite the recommendation that exercise therapy be used as a conservative first line of treatment.

Methods:

Ratanlal Hospital in Ghaziabad and Santosh Medical College and Hospital in Ghaziabad provided data for a prospective randomized controlled experiment that was carried out at Santosh College of Occupational Therapy.56 people between the ages of 45 and 60 were assigned randomly to control group (N=28) received standard occupational therapy and instructions for daily care, the experimental group (N=28) engaged in non-weight-bearing lower-limb strengthening exercises for four weeks, three times a week, for sixty minutes. Outcome measures included BMI and WOMAC scores evaluated at baseline and post-intervention. Ethical approval and participant consent were obtained.

Results:

The groups' baseline characteristics were similar (p >0.05). The experimental group WOMAC ratings significantly improved (p = 0.001) after intervention, compared to another group, demonstrating reduced pain and stiffness and enhanced function. Between-group post-intervention BMI differences were found to be within-group reductions, although the results did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.112).

Conclusion:

For overweight and obese people with KOA, a 4-week lower limb strengthening program is a safe, efficient, non-pharmacological approach that dramatically improves symptoms and physical function.