The effectiveness of an exercise programme on dynamic balance in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis: a pilot study

Abstract Background Dynamic and quiet standing balance are decreased in knee osteoarthritis (OA), with dynamic balance being more affected. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a group exercise programme of lower extremity muscles integrated with education on dynamic balance using the Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT) in knee OA. Methods Experimental before-and-after pilot study design. Nineteen participants with knee OA attended the exercise sessions once a week for six weeks, in addition to home exercises. Before and after the exercise programme, dynamic balance was assessed using the SEBT in the anterior and medial directions in addition to hip and knee muscle strength, pain, and function. Results Fourteen participants completed the study. Raw balance data and those normalised to leg length on the affected side demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance in the anterior and medial directions (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). The contralateral side demonstrated significant improvements in dynamic balance in the anterior direction (p < 0.001). However, balance in the medial direction did not change significantly (p = 0.07). Hip and knee muscle strength, pain, and function significantly improved (p < 0.05) after the exercise programme. Conclusion This is the first study to explore the effect of an exercise programme on dynamic balance using the SEBT in knee OA. The exercise programme was effective in improving dynamic balance which is required in different activities of daily living where the patients might experience the risk of falling. This might be attributed to the improvement in muscle strength and pain after the exercise programme.