Quadriceps strengthening exercises are effective in improving pain, function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this research was to verify the effectiveness of an eight-week quadriceps strengthening program on pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.


METHODS
A HUNDRED PATIENTS WERE RANDOMIZED INTO TWO GROUPS: 1- Exercise Group (ExG) and 2- Orientation Group. The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and the Short Form-36 were used for the assessment.


RESULTS
Eighty-one patients completed the survey. According to the intention to treat (ITT) analysis, there was statistically significant difference in ExG compared to OG in all the variables assessed.


CONCLUSIONS
The program quadriceps strengthening exercises applied in this randomized clinical trial was effective in improving pain, function and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence I, Randomized Clinical Trial.
Department of Internal and Therapeutic Medicine of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp).
Aline Mizusaki
AM
Imoto
Department of Internal and Therapeutic Medicine of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp).
Maria Stella
MS
Peccin
Department of Internal and Therapeutic Medicine of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp).
Virgínia Fernandes Moça
VF
Trevisani
Exercise therapy; Knee; Osteoarthritis/rehabilitation