《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2023, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (9): 1090-1097.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2023.09.013

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Comparative effect of different neuromuscular exercises on pain and motor function of knee in patients with early knee osteoarthritis

ZHANG Guancong1,2a, HUANG Qiuchen1,2a, GU Rui1,2b, LIU Sihai1,2b, HU Chunying1,2a, LIU Kemin1,2b()   

  1. 1. Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Beijing 100068, China
    2. a. Department of Physiotherapy; b. Department of Orthopedic and Osteoarthropathy Rehabilitation, Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China
  • Received:2023-05-20 Revised:2023-07-24 Published:2023-09-25 Online:2023-10-26
  • Contact: LIU Kemin E-mail:keminlqliu@sina.com

Abstract:

Objective To compare the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular training methods on pain and motor ability of knee in patients with early knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods From November, 2022 to May, 2023, 60 early KOA patients from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital and community were randomly divided into groups A, B and C, with 20 patients in each group. Group A received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), group B received neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX), and group C received PNF and NEMEX, for six weeks. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), angle reappearance test, difference of pre-motor reaction time (VM-VL), active range of motion (AROM) of knee flexion, 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) before and after treatment.

Results All the indexes improved in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 2.532, P < 0.05). Among the groups, the VAS score was the least in group A, and then groups C and B; the angle reappearance error was the least in group C, and similar in groups A and B; the VM-VL was the least in groups A and C, followed by group B.

Conclusion PNF, NEMEX and PNF+NEMEX can relieve the pain and improve the motor function of knee in patients with early KOA, however, PNF is the most effective on relieving pain, and PNF+NEMEX is the most effective on improving knee function.

Key words: knee osteoarthritis, pain, proprioception, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, neuromuscular exercise, reaction time

CLC Number: