Abstract: Strength training for treatment of osteoarthritis

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The below may be of interest:

Strength training for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: A

systematic review.

Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Sep 29;59(10):1488-1494.

Lange AK, Vanwanseele B, Fiatarone Singh MA.

University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of isolated resistance

training on arthritis symptoms, physical performance, and

psychological function in people with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A

comprehensive systematic database search for randomized controlled

trials was performed. Two reviewers independently assessed studies

for potential inclusion. Study quality indicators, arthritis

symptoms, muscle strength, functional performance, and psychological

outcomes were extracted. The relative effect sizes (ES) were

calculated with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: Eighteen studies enrolling 2,832 subjects were reviewed; the

mean cohort age range was 55-74 years. In general, the quality of the

reviewed literature was moderately robust; on average, 8 out of 12

quality criteria were accounted for in the reviewed literature. Self-

reported measures of pain, physical function, and performance, along

with muscle strength (mean 17.4%), maximal gait speed and chair stand

time, and balance improved significantly following resistance

training in 56-100% of studies where they were measured. Limitations

included lack of data available for ES calculations and lack of

adverse event and compliance reporting, particularly with regard to

the actual training intensity versus the prescribed training

intensity.

CONCLUSION: Resistance training improved muscle strength and self-

reported measures of pain and physical function in over 50-75% of

this cohort; 50-100% of the studies reported a significant

improvement in all but 1 performance-based physical function measure

(walk time). The effects of resistance training on health-related

quality of life and depression are yet to be confirmed. More research

needs to be conducted to establish dose-response relationships and

the effect of resistance training on long-term disability, disease

pathology, and progression.

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Carruthers

Wakefield, UK