Researchers from Taiwan found that patients with osteoarthritis showed significantly improved function and mobility scores when additional balance training was included as part of their rehabilitation after total knee replacement, according to this study.
“Additional balance training exerted a significant beneficial effect on the function recovery and mobility outcome in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee replacement,” the researchers wrote in the study abstract.
All patients in the study received conventional functional training for 8 weeks after total knee replacement (TKR); however, one group of 58 patients received additional balance exercises as part of their training regimen, according to the abstract. The researchers measured WOMAC scores as well as used timed sit-to-stand, single leg stance duration, timed 10-m, timed up-and-down stair and timed up-and-go tests to gauge patient outcomes.
After 8 weeks, the group who conducted additional balance exercises had significant improvements in 10-m walk from 3.6 seconds to 4.4 seconds and timed up-and-go tests from 2.6 seconds to 3.4 seconds. The group also had significantly higher WOMAC scores after 8 weeks, according to the abstract.
