Efficacy of Balance Training in Combination With Physical Therapy in Rehabilitation of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of balance training in combination with physical modalities in patients with knee OA. Materials and Methods: In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 60 patients (mean age: 56.5 +/- 0.90 years) with primary knee osteoarthritis were recruited. Participants were assigned to two groups. Physiotherapy (PT) group received routine physical therapy (hot pack, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and exercise) while balance training group (BT) received conventional physical therapy plus balance training using Biodex balance system (BBS). Results: The comparison between two groups revealed significant differences with regard to the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score (P=0.023), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) pain score (P=0.018), WOMAC total score (P=0.042), Lequesne index (P=0.015) as well as the score of limed Up and Go (TUG) test (P=0.003). Similar results were observed for the fall risk score (P<0.001). The WOMAC stiffness score in the BT group significantly decreased from 2.80 +/- 0.34 to 1.70 +/- 0.32 (P <0.0 1), but it did not decrease in the PT group (P=0.096). Conclusions: The combination of balance training and physical therapy provided more pain relief and development of functional abilities in patients with knee OA.