Effect of Video-based Game and Aerobic Exercise on Knee Osteoarthritis

The Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Active Video Games as Adjuncts to Conventional Physiotherapy on Pain, Functional Capacity, and Balance in Knee Osteoarthritis

This randomized controlled trial was conducted by the CONSORT guidelines for non-pharmacological treatments. Participants were randomly assigned to control, gaming, or aerobic groups using the closed-envelope randomization method. All groups received conventional physiotherapy for 8 weeks. In addition, the gaming group played active video games 3 days per week, while the aerobic group engaged in cycling-based aerobic exercise (20 minutes per session) 3 days per week. The control group received only conventional physiotherapy and continued their daily activities. Evaluations were performed by the same assessor at the baseline and after eight weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants, aged 30-65 years who were diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral osteoarthritis based on the clinical and radiological criteria of the American College of Rheumatology.
• The severity of osteoarthritis was classified as stage 2-3 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system for gonarthrosis.
• Participants were required to be able to walk independently for at least 15 meters and to refrain from using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) during the study period.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A history of lower extremity surgery within the past 6 months,
• The presence of neurological or systemic diseases,
• Other inflammatory joint diseases,
• Getting classic physiotherapy and rehabilitation within the past month,
• Intra-articular corticosteroid injections within the past 3 months,
• Severe joint deformities or movement restrictions,
• Severe visual impairments.