Chaipinyo K, Karoonsupcharoen O.
This study investigated whether four weeks of home-based balance training was more effective than four weeks of home-based strength training at decreasing pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. 48 community volunteers with knee osteoarthritis undertook home-based exercise programs: one group performed balance training and the other performed strength training. Participants performed 30 repetitions/leg/day, 5 days/week for four weeks. There was no significant difference between groups for pain. The only between-group difference in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was in knee-related quality of life, where the strength group improved 17 points out of 100 more than the balance group. There was no significant difference between groups for strength. The only between-group difference in mobility was in the time taken to walk downstairs, where the strength group improved by 2 s more than the balance group.
There was no difference in pain between home-based strength training and home-based balance training in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Aust J Physiother. 2009, 55(1), 25-30.