Effectiveness of Isometric Exercise and Counseling on Level of Pain Among Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the emerging health issues in Asian countries in elderly population. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major age related public health issue characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage resulting in pain, functional impairment, disability and diminished quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Isometric exercise and counseling on level of pain among patients with KOA. Methods Quantitative research approach and a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group research design was utilized. The study was conducted at MIOT hospital and Devadoss Hospital, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Data was collected from a total of 200 patients with KOA, 100 in the study and 100 in the control group. These patients were clinically diagnosed to have Grade I, II and III KOA. The demographic variables and clinical profile were recorded for both groups. The self-administered WOMAC questionnaire was used to assess the level of pain of KOA patients. Post-test assessment was carried out on Day 15, Day 30, Day 60 and Day 90. The data was analyzed using SPSS windows 16. Results The comparison of level of pain between the study and control group has showed a remarkable reduction in level of pain among patients with KOA in the study group. The post-test level of pain in the study group was 14.9% (13.3% -16.5% with 95% CI) and was 2.1% (1.2% -3.0% with 95% CI) in the control group. It showed that the reduction in the level of pain was higher in the study group than the control group. Conclusion The study found that a 12-week Isometric exercise and counseling program has significantly reduced pain, stiffness and improved physical function. Therefore, the Isometric exercise and counselling should be adopted as a routine care in the hospitals treating patients with KOA.

How Physical Activity Affects Knee Cartilage and a Standard Intervention Procedure for an Exercise Program: A Systematic Review

“…Azukizawa et al [ 20 ], Centeno et al [ 24 ], Mikesky et al [ 36 ], and Multanen et al [ 37 ] generally detected no significant changing after physical exercise related to pain and functional outcomes. Dinçer et al [ 25 ], Ikuta et al [ 31 ], Kangeswari et al [ 32 ], Knoop et al [ 35 ], and Vassao et al [ 41 ] detected better results after a physical exercise treatment both for the pain scale and functional outcomes.…”

“…Specific muscle strengthening interventions [ 25 , 28 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 41 ] and isometric exercises are proposed [ 32 ]. One of the intervention proposals is individually progressed and consisted of 5 min warm-up and hopping (3–5 sets, 15 s of rest between sets) exercises of approximately 3–4 min [ 28 ].…”

“…Similar to aerobic intervention, resistance exercises have to be included in the ideal Standard Operating Procedure [ 46 ] also in people with advanced OA [ 35 ]. Isometric exercise reduces pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction [ 32 ] with a beneficial effect on the cartilage [ 20 ]. Exercises to strengthen the quadriceps and hamstring muscles have no adverse effect on knee cartilage volume and thickness, reduce the pain and increase functionality [ 25 ].…”

Strain Gauge Integration in the Assessment and Rehabilitation of Knee Osteoarthritis

“…Isometric exercise plays an important role in physiotherapeutic practice as part of rehabilitation from many different injuries. This is exemplified none more so with the knee, with isometrics being prescribed for the rehabilitation of osteoarthritis of the knee [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Interest in isometric training spiked after Rio et al [7] reported significantly greater pain relief following a single session of isometric exercise as compared with isotonic exercise.…”

Factors Affecting Physical Activity of People with Knee Osteoarthritis in Southern Taiwan: A Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis

“…PA is considered an important, modifiable lifestyle behavior that can reduce pain and improve mobility in people with KOA [7][8][9]. Numerous arthritis guidelines and studies specifically report that people with KOA can benefit from improved symptoms and maintain health from moderate PA [10][11][12]. As the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, physical inactivity can increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular or metabolic disorders [2,[13][14][15].…”