Effect of oscillatory whole-body vibration versus neuromuscular exercise on static and dynamic balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effect of Whole body vibration (WBV) versus neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) to prove which treatment produced significant effect on pain, knee function disability, static and dynamic postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method: Forty-five patients (39 women and 6 men) aged 45 to 62 years with grade 2 KOA were randomly assigned into the following three groups (all n = 15): group A (control group) received traditional treatment only (US, stretching and strengthening exercise); group B received NEMEX and traditional treatment and group C received WBV exercise and traditional treatment. Outcome measures were assessed pre and post treatment and included pain severity using the Arabic numerical pain rating scale (ANPRS), functional disability by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index, static balance (close and open eye) by Unipedal Stance Test and dynamic stability by Biodex Balance System (BBS). Results: The within-group analysis showed significant changes in pain severity, functional disability, static and dynamic stability index in groups B and C pre and post treatment (p < 0.05).