Effects of strength, stretching, and balance home exercise program on quality of life of people with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of strength, stretching, and balance home exercise program (moderate intensity, performed once a day, 5 times a week) on the quality of life of people with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Participants with knee osteoarthritis performed physical therapy for 2 weeks at the Department for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The study group (n = 30) continued to perform exercise program at home, while the control group (n = 30) did not continue the exercise program. The participants in the study group performed strength, stretching, and balance exercises of moderate intensity, once a day, 5 times a week, for a total of 8 weeks. The short form-36 health questionnaire (SF-36) was used to examine the effects of exercise program. Results: There was no difference between the average value of quality of life in all examined areas (physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality/ energy, mental health (MH), social functioning (SF), physical pain, and perception of general health [GH]) at the beginning of the study between the study group and control group (p > 0.05 in all eight areas). The difference between the average value of quality of life at the beginning and end of the study was statistically significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group (physical functioning p = 0.0001; role limitations due to physical problems p = 0.0001; role limitations due to emotional problems p = 0.0001; vitality/energy p = 0.0001; MH p = 0.0001; SF p = 0.0001; bodily pain p = 0.0001; and perception of GH p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Home exercise program consisting of strength, stretching, and balance exercises, of moderate intensity, performed once a day, 5 times a week is effective in improving quality of life of people with knee osteoarthritis.