Jau-Yih Tsauo1, Pai-Fu Cheng, Rong-Sen Yang. 1. School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a sensorimotor training programme in osteoarthritic patients. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. SETTING: Kinesiology laboratory at School of Physical Therapy. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned to the training group and the control group. Only 29 patients (training group, 15; control group, 14) completed the study. INTERVENTION: The training group underwent a sensorimotor training programme using a sling suspension system complemented by a routine physical therapy. The control group underwent a routine physical therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Active joint repositioning, functional testings, and self-reported function with the Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Arthritis Index before and after the eight-week intervention. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to the improvement in proprioception as measured by active joint repositioning (the changes in the absolute error were 1.9+/- 1.7 degrees , training group versus 0.1 +/- 2.8 degrees , control group (P<0.05), and in self-reported functional difficulty (33.2 +/-35.1, training group versus 8.0+/- 10.2, control group; P<0.05)). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: A sensorimotor training using a sling suspension system improved the patients' proprioception in the knee joints and their self-reported function. Thus, these exercises may serve as an exercise programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a sensorimotor training programme in osteoarthritic patients. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. SETTING: Kinesiology laboratory at School of Physical Therapy. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned to the training group and the control group. Only 29 patients (training group, 15; control group, 14) completed the study. INTERVENTION: The training group underwent a sensorimotor training programme using a sling suspension system complemented by a routine physical therapy. The control group underwent a routine physical therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Active joint repositioning, functional testings, and self-reported function with the Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Arthritis Index before and after the eight-week intervention. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to the improvement in proprioception as measured by active joint repositioning (the changes in the absolute error were 1.9+/- 1.7 degrees , training group versus 0.1 +/- 2.8 degrees , control group (P<0.05), and in self-reported functional difficulty (33.2 +/-35.1, training group versus 8.0+/- 10.2, control group; P<0.05)). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: A sensorimotor training using a sling suspension system improved the patients' proprioception in the knee joints and their self-reported function. Thus, these exercises may serve as an exercise programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Authors: Amber T Collins; J Troy Blackburn; Chris W Olcott; Douglas R Dirschl; Paul S Weinhold Journal: J Orthop Surg Res Date: 2009-02-02 Impact factor: 2.359