Effectiveness of aquatic exercise versus other therapeutic modalities in patients with knee osteoarthritis pain: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

This systematic review explores the most current evidence regarding aquatic exercise therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The review also seeks to provide guidelines for the best approach and treatment for patients experiencing this type of pain. To study the relationship between aquatic exercise and knee osteoarthritis, with emphasis on the reduction of pain caused by the disease. We systematically search the databases MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science. The findings of this review show that aquatic exercise presents statistically significant changes in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) stiffness, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) [standardized mean difference (SMD) -5.46 (-5.82 to -5.11), -0.82 (-1.09 to -0.55), and − 1.53 (-1.96 to -1.09), respectively].This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that there is a statistically significant difference in some of the scales evaluated for functional results, stiffness, and pain reduction in the treatment with aquatic exercises for knee OA; however, we believe that more studies should be carried out to support these results from the mechanical, physiological, and clinical points of view.