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Walking
and to a lesser extent home-based exercise appear to improve
pain, ability to function and quality of life in patients
with knee osteoarthritis, according to researchers in Turkey.
Their
three-month study included 90 patients, 48-to 71-years-old,
with knee osteoarthritis. None had participated in simple
daily exercise programs in the previous year.
The patients
were separated into three groups: one was given a home-based
exercise program; one had a regular walking program, starting
at 10 minutes' duration three times weekly; and the third
served as the control.
Based
on measures of pain, functioning and quality of life, the
researchers found that although improvements in pain and ability
to function in both the walkers and home-exercisers were not
statistically significant, both groups fared better than those
in the control group.
Moreover,
the researchers found that quality of life among those who
participated in a walking program was significantly improved,
compared to the home-based exercisers and control group.
"As
a result, we conclude that a simple home-based exercise therapy
and a regular walking program are effective in treating the
symptoms of OA," the researchers said.
The researchers
will present results of the study at the upcoming European
Congress of Rheumatology.
Source:
Arthritis Week
of June 2, 2002
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