The Effects of Water-based Neuromuscular Exercises on Knee Proprioception and Pain in Older Women With 2nd/3rd Grade Knee Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Trial

Background and Aims Due to the importance of proprioception and pain in determining the quality of life and independence of people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), this study aims to assess the effect of water-based neuromuscular exercises on knee joint proprioception and pain in women with second and third knee osteoarthritis. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 24 older women with KOA participated. They were randomly divided into two groups of 2nd-grade KOA (n=12) and 3rd-grade KOA (n=12). Before and after eight weeks of neuromuscular training protocol in water, the digital photography method was used to measure the amount of changes in the knee joint proprioception, and the first section of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was utilized to measure the knee pain. The data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test phases in the 2nd KOA group (P=0.001 for proprioception, P=0.044 for pain) and the 3rd grade KOA group (P=0.018 for proprioception, P=0.001 for pain). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion The eight weeks of water-based neuromuscular exercises may improve the knee joint proprioception and reduce knee pain in older women with 2nd/3rd grade KOA. There women are recommended to use these exercises.