Changes in Circulation Response of Osteoarthritis Knee Patients with Cardiac Symptoms Induced by Physical Therapy Intervention

Abstract

Locomotion disorder patients often complain of shortness of breath or fatigue easily during muscle strength and walking training. In this study, we performed physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis (OA) on knee OA patients with cardiac symptoms as subjects and investigated the changes in the circulation response and the Borg scale. [Subjects] The 35 subjects (including 5 males) were either inpatients or outpatients attending our hospital. [Method] Physical therapy for knee OA was performed 4 times a week for 4 weeks. The circulation response measurement was performed after one minute of continuous sit-to-stand activity. [Results] After the sit-to-stand activity on the fourth week, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and the double product were found to be significantly lower than those of the first week. In addition, a significant decrease in the Borg scale was also found. [Conclusion] The intervention for knee OA was beneficial even for patients with concurrent cardiac symptoms. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR