Effectiveness of Proprioceptive and Therapeutic Exercises on Pain among the Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis
Author(s) : Nosheen Sultan, Raheela Kousar, Farooq Islam, Asim Raza, Sadia Iftikhar, Khushboo Gulzar, Marwa Khalid & Afifa Tariq
Abstract:
DOI:https://doi.org/10.52587/njmhs.v4i2.41Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of proprioceptive and therapeutic exercises on pain among patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Material and Methods:
In this study, fifty-four patients having knee osteoarthritis were arbitrarily assigned into two groups: Group-A with 27 patients and Group-B with 27 patients. Both groups were given local heat for 20 minutes. Group A received proprioceptive exercises while Group B was treated with therapeutic exercises. Each patient was treated four times a week for a period of 4 weeks. Pre-treatment, 2nd week and 4th week intensity of pain, stiffness and physical difficulties were evaluated by using Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire.
Results:
After the fourth week of exercises, both Groups A and B's mean values on WOMAC scores significantly decreased (P<0.001). However, it was found that the Group A having proprioceptive exercises performed better than Group B with therapeutic exercises.
Conclusion:
The special effects of proprioceptive exercises on the pain are more effective than therapeutic exercises among the patients of knee osteoarthritis. Further studies are needed to explore the better strategies to manage knee osteoarthritis with the help of proprioceptive exercises.
Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Proprioceptive Exercises, Therapeutic Exercises, Pain intensity.