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Original ArticleOpen Access
The Efficacy of a Muscle Exercise Program to Improve Functional Performance of the Knee in Patients with Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic and progressive degenerative joint condition. A
major consequence of knee OA is physical disability ; especially difficulty with activities requiring
ambulation and transfer, which are necessary to maintain independence and a good quality of life.
The purposes of this study were to determine the efficacy of a muscle exercise program along with
education about knee care, and investigate the clinical factors which influence its therapeutic effi-
cacy. A prospective study was carried out among elderly Thai people aged 60 years and over, living
in an urban community of the Bangkok metropolitan area around Siriraj Hospital, between October
1997 and September 1999. The number of elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee was 392
(male : female=86:'306) with a mean. age of 67.7เธ‘6 years. They were interviewed for demographic
data and information about their symptoms. The range of the kneeเธ—movement, quadriceps strength
and the six-minute walking distance and a knee X-ray were evaluated. Group exercise was arranged
twice a week for 8 weeks for the intervention group only. The results of the study revealed that the
quadriceps strength in the intervention group had a tendency to increase and the walking distance
was significantly improved especially in the first two months but there was a tendency to decline by
the sixth and twelfth month after enrollment. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant
difference of both important outcomes for the control group when assessed in the second month. The
findings at the sixth and twelfth month after enrollment were that the quadriceps strength was
slightly increased but the walking distance was decreased when compared with the initial assessment.
An exercise frequency of 12 sessions in two months was sufficient to improve muscle strength and
walking distance. Group exercise produces a significant improvement in strength and walking abi-
lity, especially in the first two months. Deterioration over time could be due to multiple factors, such
as lack of regular exercise, lack of motivation, lack of family support or poor economic status, so we
should encourage the elderly to exercise regularly.
Key word : Osteoarthritis, Knee, Efficacy of Exercise, Functional Performance
major consequence of knee OA is physical disability ; especially difficulty with activities requiring
ambulation and transfer, which are necessary to maintain independence and a good quality of life.
The purposes of this study were to determine the efficacy of a muscle exercise program along with
education about knee care, and investigate the clinical factors which influence its therapeutic effi-
cacy. A prospective study was carried out among elderly Thai people aged 60 years and over, living
in an urban community of the Bangkok metropolitan area around Siriraj Hospital, between October
1997 and September 1999. The number of elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee was 392
(male : female=86:'306) with a mean. age of 67.7เธ‘6 years. They were interviewed for demographic
data and information about their symptoms. The range of the kneeเธ—movement, quadriceps strength
and the six-minute walking distance and a knee X-ray were evaluated. Group exercise was arranged
twice a week for 8 weeks for the intervention group only. The results of the study revealed that the
quadriceps strength in the intervention group had a tendency to increase and the walking distance
was significantly improved especially in the first two months but there was a tendency to decline by
the sixth and twelfth month after enrollment. On the other hand, there was no statistically significant
difference of both important outcomes for the control group when assessed in the second month. The
findings at the sixth and twelfth month after enrollment were that the quadriceps strength was
slightly increased but the walking distance was decreased when compared with the initial assessment.
An exercise frequency of 12 sessions in two months was sufficient to improve muscle strength and
walking distance. Group exercise produces a significant improvement in strength and walking abi-
lity, especially in the first two months. Deterioration over time could be due to multiple factors, such
as lack of regular exercise, lack of motivation, lack of family support or poor economic status, so we
should encourage the elderly to exercise regularly.
Key word : Osteoarthritis, Knee, Efficacy of Exercise, Functional Performance
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