Study: Walking Improves Quality of Life for Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Walking and to a lesser extent home-based exercise appear to improve pain, ability to function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to researchers in Turkey.

Their three-month study included 90 patients, 48-to 71-years-old, with knee osteoarthritis. None had participated in simple daily exercise programs in the previous year.

The patients were separated into three groups: one was given a home-based exercise program; one had a regular walking program, starting at 10 minutes' duration three times weekly; and the third served as the control.

Based on measures of pain, functioning and quality of life, the researchers found that although improvements in pain and ability to function in both the walkers and home-exercisers were not statistically significant, both groups fared better than those in the control group.

Moreover, the researchers found that quality of life among those who participated in a walking program was significantly improved, compared to the home-based exercisers and control group.

"As a result, we conclude that a simple home-based exercise therapy and a regular walking program are effective in treating the symptoms of OA," the researchers said.

The researchers will present results of the study at the upcoming European Congress of Rheumatology,

Other sources: Rheumatology International