The Effect of Strengthening and Balance Exercises on Static Stability Indices in Women With Knee Osteoarthritis; A Randomized Clinical Trial

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that is associated with impaired balance. This study was conducted to determine the result of balance and strengthening training in static stability indices in females with knee osteoarthritis.

In this single-blind randomized controlled study, 13 patients were determined through the available sampling method and randomly assigned to strengthening exercises and balance exercises groups. Strengthening exercises were based on quadriceps strengthening and in the balance exercises group, it included balance exercises. Anterior-posterior, overall, and medial-lateral stability measures were performed by Biodex before and after the treatment in the static situation at the status of open and close eyes on one and two feet. The treatment was performed 15 sessions for 3 weeks. The data were analyzed by paired t-test and independent t-test.

In strengthening exercises group, at the static status, overall and anterior-posterior stability index on two feet at the status of open eyes reduced from 1.26±0.82 to 0.76±0.48 (P=0.02) and from 0.87±0.53 to 0.56±0.37 (P=0.02), respectively. In the balance exercise group, in the static status, overall lateral stability index on the involved foot at the status of close eyes reduced from 9.15±3.18 to 7.53±2.81 (P=0.00) and from 8.27±3.32 to 6.77±2.95 (P=0.00), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05).

There was no difference between them regarding the impact on static stability indices. However, strengthening exercises caused improvement in the greater number of stability indices compared to those in the balance exercises group.