title: Effects of balance training on functional outcome after total knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of additional balance training on mobility and function outcome in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee replacement.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective intervention study and randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university-based teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who received total knee replacement surgery were recruited sequentially from the orthopedic department. They were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The control group received conventional function training for eight weeks. The experimental group not only received the same conventional training as the control group, but also received additional balance exercises in each admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and after training we took the following measurements: distance of functional forward reach; duration of single leg stance; timed sit-to-stand test; timed up-and-down stair test; timed 10-m walk; timed up-and-go test; and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  58 patients in the experimental group with a mean (SD) age of 71.4 (6.6) years and 55 in the control group with mean (SD) age of 72.9 (7.3) years, completed the study. After eight-weeks intervention with additional balance exercises, the experimental group demonstrated significant changes in 10-m walk (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6 to 4.4 seconds) and in timed up-and-go (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 2.6 to 3.4 seconds) tests. Significant changes of all other measures and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score were also observed in the experimental group (all P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Additional balance training exerted a significant beneficial effect on the function recovery and mobility outcome in patients with knee osteoarthritis after total knee replacement.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Chun-De
authors: CD
authors: Liao
authors: Tsan-Hon
authors: TH
authors: Liou
authors: Yu-Yun
authors: YY
authors: Huang
authors: Yi-Ching
authors: YC
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Total knee replacement; additional balance training; functional outcome; mobility