AB0601 COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAM IN THE REHABILITATION OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is an increasingly common and disabling problem in worldwide. Exercises are considered the cornerstone of non-surgical management of knee OA and is recommended in all current clinical guidelines. The diversity of exercise programs determines the need to compare their efficiency, in order to recommend the best option for the patient. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the effect on knee functionality of conventional exercises program and combinate with manual therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: 164 patients that fulfilled the ACR classification criteria for knee osteoarthritis (127 females and 37 males) ranging in age from 42 to 84 years (mean 62,2 SD 8,76), participated in a 10 days two-arm randomized trial. One group (Gr.1) received an exercises program, the other group additionally manual therapy methods (Gr.2). Pain and function were measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, mm) and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) with 5 domains (Pain, Symptoms, Activity in Daily Living (ADL), Sport and recreation (Sport/rec.) and Quality of life (QoL)). Results: In the Gr.1 were 82 patients mean age 61,8±9,2 years and in Gr.2 – 82 patients 62,7±8,3 years (p>0.05). The initial level of pain (63,4±14,2 vs 60,2±18,8mm) and knee functionality according to KOOS (Tab1.) were similar in both groups, p>0.05. After 10 days rehabilitation program, VAS in Gr.1 was 39,6±14,8 mm, in Gr.2- 28,5±11,6 mm, (p<0.01). The KOOS results at the end of the rehabilitation program were with improvement, statistically significative in the Gr.2 (p<0,05). Table 1. The KOOS results at baseline and after 10 days of rehabilitation program. KOOS scales (M±SD), % Group 1 Group 2 Baseline After 10 days Baseline After 10 days Pain 55,5 ±13,8 63,4±13,6 53,0±22,3 64,3±19,1 Symptoms 59,0±18,7 65,6±18,1 56,6±19,0 69,0±15,9 ADL 46,3±15,5 54,5±16,0 43,0±19,9 55,1±18,2 Sport/rec 15,6±17,3 23,1±19,6 16,0±24,3 30,5±23,6 QoL 29,3±22,2 36,5± 22,9 34,8±23,9 50,6±18,9 Conclusion: The reduction of pain and recovery of function were found in both groups, with better results in patients who received manual therapy and exercises program. This study supports the routine manual therapy in rehabilitation program in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Disclosure of Interests: None declared.