The effect of aerobic exercise training on postmenopausal patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common musculoskeletal problem encountered in the postmenopausal period. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the impact of aerobic exercise on functional limitation, exercise tolerance, and performance tests in postmenopausal women with knee OA. METHODS: A total of 50 women (aged between 48-78) with grade 2-3 knee OA according to the Kellgren-Lawrence radiographic scale were enrolled. OA-specific physical performance tests (40 m Fast-Paced Walk Test (40mFPWT), 30 s Chair Stand Test (30sCST), Stair Climb Test (9-step SCT)), six-minute walk test (6MWT), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were performed. Fifty patients were randomized to either the treatment or control groups. The treatment group received an additional aerobic exercise training along with a combined physiotherapy program for six weeks. The aerobic exercise program was carried out by the same physiotherapist every weekday (five days) for six weeks. The control group only received a combined physiotherapy program for six weeks. RESULTS: The post-treatment comparisons of the two groups yielded similar SCT results (p > 0.05), while VAS scores, the results of all performance tests, WOMAC scores, and the distance covered in 6MWT were significantly higher in the treatment group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, this study provides an insight into the efficacy of the aerobic exercise program applied along with a combined physiotherapy program in postmenopausal women with knee OA.