Randomized Controlled Trial of Dynamic Balance Training in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Knee Osteoarthritis focused on measuring balance, knee, osteoarthritis, physical function
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- age 50 - 80 years (to meet the American College of Rheumatology clinical definition of OA)
- radiographically confirmed knee OA in the medial compartment of the tibiofemoral joint
- predominance of pain/tenderness over the medial (inside) region of the knee
Exclusion Criteria:
- articular cartilage degradation in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment greater than the medial
- inflammatory arthritic condition
- history of knee or hip replacement surgery
- recent use of corticosteroids (oral or via injection, within last 6 months)
- pain originating predominantly from the patellofemoral joint
- inability to ambulate without a gait aid
- non-English speaking
- recent (within 6 months) arthroscopic knee surgery
- significant hip or back pain (limits the ability to perform the testing)
- Neurological, musculoskeletal or other condition that affects movement ability or balance (i.e. stroke, diabetes, Parkinson's, heart attack, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia)
Sites / Locations
- Motion Analysis and Biofeedback Laboratory, The University of British Columbia
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
No Intervention
Experimental
Wait list
Treatment (balance training)
Wait list control group. Participants will be placed on the wait list and asked to maintain their current routine and level of activity during the 10 week period. Control group participants will receive the dynamic balance training program in a single training session after the followup (second testing session at 10 weeks).
Targeted dynamic balance training. Dynamic balance training will consist of progressive exercise training over three phases, with exercises emphasising dynamic balance control, muscle strength and proprioception. Exercises will be performed four times per week for ten weeks. Exercises will be taught and supervised by a trained kinesiologist. Difficulty of exercises will be increased progressively over time by increasing resistance, time of timed exercises, and distance of walking exercises. Exercises will be progressed to different exercises in each new phase (total 3 phases). Participants will complete six treatment sessions at the university (during weeks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9) that will be included in the total number of sessions per week. All other sessions will be performed at home.