Effects of Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of openversus closed kinetic chain exercises in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in this study. Material and Methods: Thirty eightpatients with knee OA were randomized into two groups as the openkinetic chain exercise (OKCE) group (n = 19) and the closed kineticchain exercise (CKCE) group (n = 19). All subjects received physicaltherapy modalities including 20 minute Hot Pack (HP), 20 minuteTranscuteneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and 20 minuteShort Wave Diatermi. A total of 18 sessions were held. The CKCEand OKCE were performed 30 minutes/day under the researcher’s supervision. Then the patients continued to exercise at home for 3weeks. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form HealthSurvey (SF-36) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used in the assessment of the patients before and after 6 weeks of exercise programme. Results: We found statistically significant improvement inVAS values, WOMAC pain, physical function and total WOMACscores and SF-36 quality of life after treatment in both OCKE and CKCEgroups in patients with knee OA (p<0.05). When we compared the ratesof change after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: As a result, we believethat the intensity and continuity of exercise may be more important thanthe type of exercise in the rehabilitation of knee OA