Effects of basic body awareness therapy on pain, balance, muscle strength and functionality in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised preliminary trial

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of basic body awareness therapy (BBAT) on pain, balance, muscle strength, and functionality in knee OA.

Methods

Forty patients (mean age: 55.20 ± 6.40 years) with knee OA were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Both groups participated in a home-based exercise programme. The home-based exercise programme was performed daily for 6 weeks. In addition to the home-based programme, patients in the experimental group participated in BBAT 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The visual analogue scale, fall risk assessment, single-leg stability test, knee extension muscle strength, five times sit-to-stand test, joint range of motion assessment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, 6-minute walk test, and stair climb test were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks.

Results

All outcomes in the experimental group significantly improved after 6 weeks (p < 0.05). There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of the experimental group in muscle strength (p = 0.018, η²= 0.191), five times sit-to-stand test (p < 0.001, η²= 0.510), and the stair climbing test (p = 0.012, η²=0.212).

Conclusion

This study showed that BBAT, in addition to a home-based exercise programme, can improve muscle strength and functionality in patients with knee OA.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT04165187

Implications for Rehabiliation

• Basic Body Awareness Therapy in addition to a home exercise program can be effective on muscle strength, and functionality in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• A decrease in knee extension muscle strength is one of the prominent features of knee osteoarthritis and better muscle strength is associated with less functional limitations.

• Adding Basic Body Awareness Therapy to the physiotherapy program can improve functions such as climbing up and down stairs and sitting and standing up in knee osteoarthritis.

Keywords:

• Basic body awareness therapy
• pain
• balance
• function
• knee osteoarthritis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grants from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.