Examining Sensory-motor Training Versus Impairment-based Training on Pain and Function in Subjects With Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease affecting synovial joints and damages joints due to stresses caused by an abnormality in any of the synovial joint tissues, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone, ligaments, menisci, periarticular muscles, peripheral nerves, and synovium. To compare the effect of sensory-motor training versus impairment-based training on pain and physical function in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

Simple random sampling was used to divide 30 subjects aged 50 and 70 years who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria into two groups (n=15). Group A received sensory-motor training, while Group B received impairment-based training. Before the treatment, the subjects walked for 10 minutes to warm up. For three weeks, each group was treated three times per week. Pre-test; post-test outcomes are noted, the visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess pain, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) was used to assess physical function.

Comparing the post-test pain (VAS) scores between groups showed that the mean±SD of posttest pain (VAS) score in the sensory-motor training group was 2.707±1.01. The mean±SD in the impairment-based training group was almost the same, at 2.29±1.13. It was statistically significant at the 5% level. Similarly, the mean±SD of the posttest function (WOMAC) score in the sensory-motor training group was 16.55±6.92.

Sensory-motor training is superior to impairment-based training on pain and physical function in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.