<b>Comparison of Mindfulness Meditation-Based Exercise vs. Traditional Strength Training for Knee Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation</b>

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability in older adults, limiting mobility and reducing quality of life. Conventional rehabilitation strategies such as strength training (ST) improve joint stability but may not fully address the psychological and functional burden of the disease. Mindfulness meditation-based exercise (MME), which integrates physical activity with mental relaxation techniques, has emerged as a promising approach targeting both physiological and psychosocial dimensions of OA. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of MME and ST in reducing pain, improving functional mobility, and enhancing quality of life among patients with knee OA. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 participants aged 50–70 years with clinically and radiologically diagnosed knee OA were randomly assigned to MME (n=30) or ST (n=30) for 8 weeks, three sessions per week. Primary outcomes included pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go Test), and quality of life (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score). Data were analysed using independent t-tests, with effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals reported. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements; however, MME participants demonstrated larger reductions in pain (Δ=-3.2 vs. -1.8), greater mobility gains (Δ=-4.3 vs. -2.6 seconds), and higher quality-of-life improvements (Δ=+19.9 vs. +11.8; all p<0.01). Conclusion: MME is more effective than ST in improving pain, mobility, and quality of life in patients with knee OA, supporting its integration as a holistic rehabilitation strategy.