Analyzing the Efficacy of Kinesthesia and Perturbation Training in Kinesiophobia Among OA Knee Patients

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis in the knee is a prevalent joint disease in the elderly, affecting around 80% of those over 55. It leads to reduced function, making walking and stair-climbing challenging, potentially impacting lower body abilities. Balance is crucial for daily tasks and operations. OBJECTIVE: The study is to determine the efficacy of kinesthesia and perturbation training in Kinesiophobia among OA knee patients. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Thirty subjects with knee osteoarthritis will be assigned to control (group B) and experimental (group A) based on specific criteria. Group A receives perturbation training alongside conventional treatment, while Group B is treated with traditional methods like ultrasound. Each group undergoes 10 treatment sessions. Outcome measures include Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia(TSK). RESULTS: Following training, both groups experienced a statistically significant decrease in the numerical pain rating scale (p<0.001). Following training, both groups' scores on the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia decreased, and this difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). Nonetheless, when comparing the two groups, the experimental group's decrease in TSK and NPRS scores was greater, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The study found that OA knee patients in Experimental group A demonstrated reduced pain and improvement in perturbation training both statistically and clinically. Keywords: Kinesiophobia, Kinesthesia, Knee osteoarthritis, Perturbation training, Physiotherapy management.