Effects of Egoscue Exercises in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Effects of Egoscue Exercises on Pain, Range of Motion and Physical Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic, debilitating illness with multiple etiologies that affects the entire knee joint. It is a leading cause of disability among the elderly population and necessitates effective interventions beyond pharmacotherapy due to the associated risks.

This study will address the existing literature gap by focusing on a novel therapeutic approach known as 'Egoscue Exercises', for managing knee osteoarthritis in the affected population.

This Randomized Controlled Trial will be conducted at Riphah Rehab Training and Research Center, Lahore and District Health Quarter Hospital (DHQ), Sahiwal in a time span of 8 months. A sample of 42 participants aged 45-65 years, diagnosed with Grade 02 and 03 Knee Osteoarthritis, will undergo a comprehensive physiotherapy protocol, which includes standard physiotherapy knee OA treatment, either alone or in combination with Egoscue exercises. Participants will receive a minimum of 3 sessions per week, across four weeks.

Randomization, conducted by computer-generated stratified randomization, will ensure unbiased allocation to the two groups. Data collection will be carried out at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, and includes outcomes in the form of pain measured by Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), range of motion measured by Goniometer, and physical function evaluated by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) index. The single-blind study will incorporate rigorous statistical analysis, using IBM SPSS software, version 25 for descriptive statistics, normality, and intergroup differences via t-tests and U tests.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age group between 45 and 65 years ,
• Both genders male and female ,
• BMI ˃ 25 , and Knee OA clinically or radiologically diagnosed by Kellgren-Lawrence Method, Grade II and III

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age less than 45 years or older than 65 years,
• BMI < 25, Knee OA in grade I and IV, and
• Patients on steroid therapy and intra articular injection