Effect of Telerehabilitation-Based Exercise and Education on Pain, Function, Strength, Proprioception, and Psychosocial Parameters in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: In middle-aged individuals with early-stage knee osteoarthritis, follow-up with remote rehabilitation methods may provide effective clinical outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation on pain, function, performance, strength, proprioception, and psychosocial parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A randomized controlled study was conducted with 54 participants with knee osteoarthritis. All patients were randomized into two groups: the home-based telerehabilitation group ( n = 29) and the home-based paper group ( n = 28). The home exercise program and training were provided with an instruction manual to paper group. The same home exercise and education prescriptions were given to individuals in telerehabilitation group via an online platform. Pain, function, quality of life, physical performance, muscle strength, and proprioception were evaluated at baseline and after 8 wks of intervention. In addition, satisfaction and usability were evaluated at week 8. RESULTS: Telerehabilitation group demonstrated better improvement in terms of pain, function, quality of life index score, and left extremity proprioception ( P < 0.05). Telerehabilitation group was not superior to paper group in terms of muscle strength and performance tests (except the Five Times Sit to Stand Test) ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The home-based telerehabilitation program was superior to the home-based paper group program for pain, function, quality of life, and proprioception in patients with knee osteoarthritis.