The Effect of Medical Exercise Therapy on Pain, Function and Physical Activity in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effect of Medical Exercise Therapy on Pain, Function and Physical Activity in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

The aim of the project is to investigate effects of medical exercise therapy (MET) on patients with knee osteoarthritis. MET is a common physical therapy intervention, and the project aim to strengthen the evidence of this intervention. An experimental cohort design is chosen, and 20 participants will be followed for 6 months. Assessments will be clinical tests, questionnaires and accelerometer measurements before, during, and after a 3 month period of exercise (3 days per week) with a physical therapist. The project will answer if a 3 month physical therapy intervention using MET causes changes in pain level, function and activity level for patients with knee osteoarthritis. In addition, it will investigate whether a single global endurance workout for 30 minutes will have an effect on pain level for these patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• x-ray verified knee osteoarthritis (Kellegren & Lawrence grade I-III)
• Loss of function and withstanding pain >3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• physical therapy treatment during the last 3 months
• knee injury
• inflammatory arthritis
• symptoms from the hip joints greater than the knee pain
• planned knee surgery the next 6 months
• heart and lung disorders or other health issues affecting the ability to complete the intervention