Effect of Land-Based Generic Physical Activity Interventions on Pain, Physical Function, and Physical Performance in Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of walking interventions on pain, physical function, and physical performance in individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis compared to control groups.
Results Summary
The study found that walking interventions showed significant improvement in physical function at 6 months but did not demonstrate significant effects on pain intensity or physical performance. The evidence supporting walking for knee osteoarthritis was very limited in the short term.
Population
Individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
recreational activities (tai chi/Baduajin) | decrease | physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | -9.56 (95% CI, -13.95 to -5.17) | demonstrated significant mean difference | #1 |
walking intervention | no change | pain intensity | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | not significant | was not significant | #2 |
walking intervention | no change | physical performance | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | not significant | was not significant | #3 |
walking intervention | decrease | physical function | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | -10.38 (95% CI, -12.27 to -8.48) | was significant | #4 |
conditioning exercise | decrease | physical function | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | -3.74 (95% CI, -5.70 to -1.78) | was significant | #5 |
conditioning exercise | increase | physical performance (6-minute walk test) | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | 42.72 m (95% CI, 27.78, 57.66) | was significant | #6 |
conditioning exercise | decrease | timed stair-climbing test | individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis | -0.49 secs (95% CI, -0.75 to -0.23) | demonstrated a significant effect | #7 |
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of land-based generic physical activity interventions on pain, physical function, and physical performance in individuals with hip/knee osteoarthritis, when compared with a control group that received no intervention, minimal intervention, or usual care. METHODS: A systematic search for randomized controlled trials on 11 electronic databases (from their inception up until April 30, 2016) identified 27 relevant articles. According to the compendium of physical activities, interventions were categorized into: recreational activities (tai chi/Baduajin-6 articles), walking (9 articles), and conditioning exercise (12 articles). RESULTS: Meta-analysis for recreational activity (n = 3) demonstrated significant mean difference (MD) of -9.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], -13.95 to -5.17) for physical function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index) at 3 mos from randomization. Pooled estimate for walking intervention was not significant for pain intensity and physical performance but was significant for physical function (n = 2) with a MD of -10.38 (95% CI, -12.27 to -8.48) at 6 mos. Meta-analysis for conditioning exercise was significant for physical function (n = 3) with a MD of -3.74 (95% CI, -5.70 to -1.78) and physical performance (6-minute walk test) with a MD of 42.72 m (95% CI, 27.78, 57.66) at 6 mos. The timed stair-climbing test (n = 2) demonstrated a significant effect at 18 mos with a MD of -0.49 secs (95% CI, -0.75 to -0.23). CONCLUSION: Very limited evidence to support recreational activity and walking intervention was found for knee osteoarthritis, in the short-term on pain and physical function, respectively.