Effect of a Complex Exercise Program for the Lower Extremities on Quadriceps Activity and Pain of Elderly Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Pilot Study

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was done to determine the effect of a complex exercise on quadriceps activity and pain of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a clinical setting. [Subjects] Ttwelve subjects over the age of 65, who were diagnosed with knee OA and hospitalized at a rehabilitation facility in the Republic of Korea, participated in this study. [Methods] All participants were supervised by an expert. They performed a program which consisted of stretch and strength exercises with traditional therapy for 10 weeks. The main outcome measures were assessed a pain scale and EMG data (%MVIC) of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) at baseline, after 5 weeks of exercise, and after 10 weeks of exercise. [Results] There was no significant difference between the male and female groups in pain or quadriceps activity. After the 10-week intervention, all participants showed improvement of RF, VL and VM activities and had decreased knee pain. [Conclusions] Older patients with OA showed a reduction in knee pain and improvement quadriceps activity after performing a complex exercise program that might help to stabilize the knee.