Effects of two different aquatic exercise trainings on cardiopulmonary endurance and emotional status in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercises are often recommended for people with osteoarthritis (OA), however, there is a lack of evidence about the effects of these exercises. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different aquatic exercise trainings on cardiopulmonary endurance and emotional status in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients who had been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were divided into three groups as two different aquatic exercise training groups (only lower extremity training vs. lower extremity + upper extremity and trunk exercises) or the control group. All groups have received the conventional therapy which consisted of hotpack, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and home exercises. Six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) were used for assessing cardiopulmonary endurance and emotional status, respectively. RESULTS: Following the treatment, all groups improved in terms of systolic blood pressure, walking distance and total HAD scores. Group 1 showed additional improvements in diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and perceived exertion, while Group 2 showed additional improvements only in perceived exertion. Greater changes before and after the treatment in diastolic blood pressure at rest and following 6MWT, perceived exertion following 6MWT, walking distance, HAD depression scores and HAD anxiety scores were observed in Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise therapy consisting of only lower extremity exercises in water might be more effective in improving exercise capacity and depression levels in comparison to upper extremity and trunk added exercises or conventional physical therapy.

The effects of two different water exercise trainings on pain, functional status and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS: Eighty-nine female patients who had been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis were divided into three groups as two experimental and a control group. All groups have received the standard therapy (hotpack, ultrasound, TENS). Both experimental groups underwent water exercise program. While Group 1 performed lower extremity exercise training, Group 2 performed upper extremity exercises as well as trunk exercises in addition to the lower extremity exercises used in the Group 1. The third group was control group who did not receive water exercise treatment. The pain severity was measured with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Functional status was assessed by using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Balance was evaluated by using the single leg stance test. RESULTS: The change in VAS scores from pre-to post-treatment was highest in Group 1 (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the change in WOMAC pain, stiffness and physical function values from pre-to post-treatment was highest in Group 2 (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Water exercise training was found to be beneficial in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in both groups. Moreover, adding upper extremity and trunk exercises to the lower extremity exercises was found to be more effective for improving the function.

[The relationship between scapular dyskinesia, pain, range of motion, and flexibility in patients with neck and shoulder problems]. / Boyun ve omuz agrili olgularda skapular diskinezi, agri, eklem hareket açikligi ve esneklik arasindaki iliski.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between scapular dyskinesia, pain, and flexibility in patients with neck, shoulder, or both injuries. METHODS: A total of 160 patients who came to Baskent University Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with pathology and pain in the neck and shoulder regions were included to our study. Patients were divided into three groups; Neck group, shoulder group and neck+shoulder group. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, goniometer for range of motion, and tape measurement for evaluation of flexibility was used. Lateral Scapular Slide Test (LSST) and Scapular Retraction Test (SRT) vs Skapular Assisstance Test (SAT) were used for evaluation of scapular dyskinesia. RESULTS: SRT (r=0.617, p=0.000) and SAT (r=0.565, p=0.000) positivity was found to be correlated with dominant and non-dominant sides in patients with neck pathology. Pain at night and during rest were found to correlate with pain during activity in patients with neck+shoulder pathology (r=0.572, p=0.002). No significant correlation was found between pain intensity and scapular dyskinesia in all groups. LSST values were found under 1.5 cm and therefore, scapular mobilization was considered as normal (LSST1=0.76±0.74; LSST2=0.68±0.81; LSST3=0.75±0.75). CONCLUSION: In addition to joint limitations and flexibility, scapular dyskinesia should also be evaluated in order to solve problems related to pain in patients with neck, shoulder and neck+shoulder pathology. In future studies, the classification of groups according to pathology may help to understand the impact of scapular dyskinesia on the pathology of shoulder and neck pain.