EFFECT OF SENSORIMOTOR TRAINING ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND QOL IN OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC KOA: A RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Abstract

Background:

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a long-term musculoskeletal disorder frequently seen in older adults and may lead to pain, restricted activity, reduced neuromuscular control, and poorer QOL . Sensorimotor exercise may complement conventional rehabilitation by addressing sensory and motor control deficits.

Methods:

A randomized controlled trial involving 66 participants with chronic KOA was conducted. Participants were assigned to an experimental group receiving sensorimotor training and a control group receiving conventional exercises. The programme was provided for 40 minutes per session, five sessions each week, over four weeks. Functional status was measured with the KOOS and QOL was evaluated with the SF-36.

Results:

The groups were comparable in baseline KOOS scores (p = 0.478), while a statistically significant baseline difference was identified for SF-36 (t = −5.331, p < 0.001). After treatment, the experimental group showed significantly better SF-36 results than the control group (t = 2.298, p = 0.025). A significant between-group difference was also found for KOOS (t = 3.285, p = 0.002).

Conclusion:

Adding sensorimotor training to rehabilitation was associated with greater improvement in kneerelated functional status and QOL than the conventional exercise programme alone. Sensorimotor activities may therefore be considered as an additional component of rehabilitation for older adults with chronic KOA .