Effectiveness of a Home Based Progressive Resistance Training Program in Reducing Pain and Disability in Patients with Osteoarthritis of Knee

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a home-based progressive resistance training (PRT) program in reducing pain and disability in patients with Osteoarthritis of knee. This randomized controlled trial, conducted for 30 days, included 60 subjects, diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of a single knee, recruited from a clinical setting in Colombo. The subjects were randomized to experimental (EG) and control groups (CG) (n=30) and received their general treatments. The EG received a PRT program to be performed at home and regular telephone contacts. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire under four domains ; Perceived pain, Perceived stiffness, Level of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Quality Of Life (QOL). The results showed that 50 (83.33%) subjects completed the study. Pain was reduced by 7.18% for EG and 0.46% for CG. Stiffness for EG was decreased by 15%, but was increased by 2.6%, for CG. This trend was observed in levels of QOL and ADL for both these groups as well. Statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) for four domains were present for EG, and the between group differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The introduced PRT program with the scientific approach and compliance strategy were effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with knee Osteoarthritis.

Keywords : Knee Osteoarthritis, Pain, Progressive resistance training exercises.