Evaluation of Traditional Exercises versus Continuous Passive Motion and Cryotherapy in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Interventional Study

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease and the second most frequent rheumatologic condition in India, affecting approximately 39% of the population, with a higher prevalence among women. The knee is a major site for OA, which impacts mobility and quality of life. Aim: The study aims to assess the efficacy of two treatment protocols for knee OA; Traditional exercises versus Continous Passive Motion (CPM) and cryotherapy. Materials and Methods: The study was an interventional study. The total duration of the study is one month from Feb 2023 to March 2023. The study included female participants aged 40 to 60 years, all diagnosed with primary OA of the knee. Total sample size was 30 (each Group 15). The present experimental study involved 30 female patients aged 40-60 years with primary knee OA. They were divided into two groups: group A received Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) combined with cryotherapy, and group B received conventional therapy. Each patient underwent a 20-30 minute treatment session once daily for four weeks. Pain and function were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scales. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired and independent t-tests with significance set at p≤0.05. Results: Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in mobility and pain reduction by the end of the study. However, group A, which received perturbation training, demonstrated a higher degree of pain reduction with a VAS score of 1.20±0.414 compared to group B’s score of 1.93±0.798. Statistical analysis indicated that this difference was significant, with group A experiencing greater pain relief than group B at a significance level of p≤0.05. Conclusion: The findings suggest that while both treatment protocols are effective for managing knee OA symptoms, CPM and cryotherapy offer a greater benefit in reducing pain compared to traditional exercises. This highlights the potential of perturbation training as a valuable addition to OA management strategies.