Objective: To compare the effectiveness of sensory-motor training and resistance training in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Design: Randomized controlled trial.
Setting: Istanbul University, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
Subjects: Forty-eight participants with knee osteoarthritis.
Interventions: Following baseline assessment, participants were randomly allocated to sensory-motor training (n = 24) and resistance training (n = 24). Both groups received training three times a week for 8 weeks.
Main measures: The primary outcome measure was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). The secondary outcome measures were pain level, muscle strength, proprioception, range of motion, quality of life, and patient satisfaction with treatment. Patients were assessed before and after four- and eight-week interventions.
Results: There was no significant difference between the groups' total WOMAC scores after four- and eight-week interventions (respectively, p = 0.415, p = 0.828). There was a significant improvement in pain level during movement and in the energy subscale SF-36 for resistance training after the four-week intervention (respectively, p = 0.012, p = 0.007). After the eight-week intervention, a significant difference was noted in favor of resistance training in the secondary outcome measure quality of life (QoL). No significant difference was found in other secondary outcomes.
Conclusions: At the end of the treatment, it was observed that sensory-motor training had a similar effect in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis symptoms to resistance training. These findings may suggest that sensory-motor training is an effective new method to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Keywords: knee osteoarthritis; resistance training; sensory-motor training.