ABSTRACT

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is characterised clinically by usage-related pain and/or functional limitation. OA that is associated with physical dysfunction and decline in health-related quality of life caused the main disability worldwide and is expected to increase due to aging and obesity rates and further load on the population and health system. The strengthening exercises that normally used is knee flexion and extensions, isometric quadriceps exercise, isometric hamstring exercise, and sit to stand to improve the balance.

Objectives: is to find out the impact of Strengthening exercise on Balance in patients with knee Osteoarthritis

Study Design: Quasi experimental study

Methods: Fifty-six (n=56) of knee OA patients were involved in this study by judgemental sampling design. Researcher will first demonstrate and explain the Y-balance tools testing procedure based on Plisky and colleagues study. Participants are given to practice six trials before the formal testing, stated that SEBT have a significant learning effect and found that the reaching distances reached the longest distance after six trials and then will be constant.

Results: Independent t-test shows significant difference in only anterior direction. In the experimental group the mean value is 69.83 with a SD of 11.62 while in the control group the mean value is 63.51 with a SD of 11.36; p-value of .045 and t-value of 2.056. In postero-lateral directions result shows there is no significant difference, experimental group the mean value is 91.10 with a SD of 9.74 while in control group mean value is 90.88 with SD value of 12.68; p-value of .947 and t-value of .067. Result of postero-medial shows no significant difference too, in experimental group the mean value of 95.16 with SD of 10.92 while in control group the mean value is 93.40 with SD of 8.20; p=value of .501 and t-value of .678.

Conclusion: This study has proven strengthening exercise using YBT improved only anterior direction of YBT but no significant difference in postero-lateral and postero-medial direction.