ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF HOME-BASED CONVENTIONAL EXERCISE AND CRYOTHERAPY ON LOWER LIMB MUSCLE STRENGTH AND WALKING ABILITY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common age-related joint condition causing discomfort, reduced physical capability, functional diminishment, and diminished life quality.

Material and methods
In this clinical randomized controlled trial, KOA-diagnosed individuals were randomly allocated into three cohorts: an experimental cohort (n=17), a control cohort (n=14), and a secondary control cohort (n=17). Interventions included two months of home-based exercise (HBE) with cryotherapy, exclusive HBE engagement for two months, and routine therapeutic and physiotherapeutic interventions at a medical facility.

Results
The experimental and first control cohorts exhibited notably enhanced lower-limb muscle strength and walking capabilities compared with the second control cohort after two months. Both experimental and first control groups showed significantly lower five-time sit-to-stand scores (5TSTS) and walking 40 meters scores compared with the second control group (p<0.0001). However, the control group displayed slightly improved scores in 5TSTS and 4x10-meter walking relative to the experimental group, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions
Combining HBE with cryotherapy did not significantly improve lower-limb muscle strength and walking in KOA patients.