Is There an Effective way to Prescribe a Home-Based Exercise Program in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis? A Randomized Controlled Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate an effective way in prescribing exercise program in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were included in the study. Group 1 received exercise program with both visual demonstration and written information materials. In addition, they have learned exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist at the physiotherapy unit. Group 2 has got written materials describing exercises and they learned exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Group 3 received only written materials about exercise program. Pain severity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Functional ability was evaluated with WOMAC functional score and WOMAC total score as well as 100-meter walk test, time required to ascend and descend, and chair rises. All assessments were performed before the treatment and one month and three months after the treatment. Results: At the end of three months of follow-up, there were statistically significant improvements in VAS, WOMAC scores, 100-meter walking test, time to ascend and descend stairs and sit-to-stand chair rises in both group 1 and 2 (p<0.05). In group 3, statistically significant improvements were detected in all parameters except for pain severity (p<0.05). After one month of follow-up, there were statistically significant differences between the groups in all parameters except for WOMAC pain scores (p<0.05), however, after three months of follow-up, statistically significant differences were observed in all parameters between the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that an effective way for prescribing an exercise program seems to be giving both visual demonstration and written materials together. Besides, accompanying training lectures were found to be increasing the effectiveness of therapy in patients with OA. Turk Phys Med Rehab 2073;59:1-6.