Effects of dietary intervention and quadriceps strengthening exercises on pain and function in overweight people with knee pain: randomised controlled trial.

Jenkinson CM, Doherty M, Avery AJ, Read A, Taylor MA, Sach TH, Silcocks P, Muir KR

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary intervention or knee strengthening exercise, or both, can reduce knee pain and improve knee function in overweight and obese adults in the community. 389 men and women aged 45 and over with a body mass index (BMI) of > or = 28.0 and self reported knee pain were randomised to dietary intervention plus quadriceps strengthening exercises; dietary intervention alone; quadriceps strengthening exercises alone; advice leaflet only (control group). 289 (74%) participants completed the trial. There was a significant reduction in knee pain in the knee exercise groups compared with those in the non-exercise groups at 24 months. The number needed to treat to benefit from a > or = 30% improvement in knee pain at 24 months was 9. In those randomised to knee exercise improvement in function was evident at 24 months. The mean difference in weight loss at 24 months in the dietary intervention group compared with no dietary intervention was 2.95 kg; for exercise versus no exercise the difference was 0.43 kg. This difference in weight loss was not associated with improvement in knee pain or function but was associated with a reduction in depression.

A home based, self managed programme of simple knee strengthening exercises over a two year period can significantly reduce knee pain and improve knee function in overweight and obese people with knee pain. A moderate sustained weight loss is achievable with dietary intervention and is associated with reduced depression but is without apparent influence on pain or function.

BMJ, 2009 Aug 18;339:b3170

Link to abstract

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