The effect of quadriceps strengthening exercises on balance and muscle strength in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and investigation of kinesiophobia

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of electrotherapy modalities, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises, and isokinetic exercises on knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study included 11 female and 11 male patients aged between 25 and 85 years, diagnosed with bilateral knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria following clinical and radiological assessments and suitable for a rehabilitation program. Patients received Hotpack (HP), ultrasound, and PNF exercises. Evaluations comprised posture analysis, muscle length testing, normal joint motion, muscle strength testing, gait patterns, functional capacity, balance, and proprioceptive sensory variables. Additionally, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) for knee OA-specific condition assessment were used. Tampa Kinesiophobia measurements were conducted for kinesiophobia. Improvement was observed in functional capacity, pain, balance scores, proprioceptive sensation, and gait analysis WOMAC parameters (p<0,05). A significant difference was found when the results before and after exercise were compared (p>0,05). Findings from our study indicate that the rehabilitation program increased knee joint range of motion, reduced pain, increased muscle strength, improved functional capacity, positively influenced gait parameters and balance, increased proprioceptive sensation, and contributed to an improvement in quality of life. Studies examining the effects of quadriceps strengthening exercises on balance, muscle strength, and kinesiophobia in patients with knee osteoarthritis are limited in the literature. To address this gap, our study evaluates the impact of quadriceps strengthening exercises on these parameters.