Efficacy of Neuromuscular Training in Patients of Osteoarthritis Knee via Telerehabilitation

TL;DR

This study shows that neuromuscular training delivered through telerehabilitation significantly improves pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Contribution

The study evaluates the effectiveness of telerehabilitation for delivering neuromuscular training in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Findings

Significant reductions in pain were observed after 12 weeks of telerehabilitation-based NMT.

Functional ability and physical performance improved significantly across multiple outcome measures.

Telerehabilitation was found to be an effective and accessible method for delivering NMT to knee OA patients.

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a leading cause of pain and disability among adults, resulting in structural and functional compromise of synovial joints. Neuromuscular training (NMT) has demonstrated benefits in managing OA; however, its delivery through telerehabilitation remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of NMT delivered via telerehabilitation in patients with primary knee OA.

Methods: This interventional cohort study included 30 patients diagnosed with primary tibiofemoral OA at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care center. NMT was demonstrated during the initial visit, and patients received a video link for home-based exercises. Telerehabilitation sessions were conducted once weekly for the first two weeks, followed by biweekly sessions for the next 10 weeks for a total duration of 12 weeks. Patients were instructed to perform daily NMT at home for at least 30 minutes. Outcome measures included pain (Visual Analog Scale (VAS)), functional status (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)), and physical performance (30-second Chair Sit-to-Stand Test (30s-CST), 40-meter Fast-Paced Walk Test (40m-FPWT), and 9-Step Stair-Climb Test (9-Step SCT)).

Results: Significant improvements were observed in all parameters post intervention. Mean changes with 95% CIs were: VAS -40 (CI: -50 to -40), KOOS +21 (CI: 19.62 to 22.38), 30s-CST +3 (CI: 2 to 2), 40m-FPWT -0.29 (CI: 0.12 to 0.20), and 9-step SCT -3.75 (CI: -6.34 to -3.24).

Conclusion: NMT administered via telerehabilitation resulted in significant improvements in pain, functional ability, and physical performance in patients with knee OA. These findings support the implementation of telerehabilitation as an effective and accessible modality for delivering NMT in OA knee management.

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