Abstract

 

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate if the bicycle exercises being addition to different physical therapy combinations have effects on pain, functional capacity and quality of life in the patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Materials and Methods: 80 patients with knee OA were randomly divided into four groups and applied hot pack (HP) + transkutanoz elektrikil neurol stimulastion (TENS) + ultrasound (US) to the first group, HP + TENS + Pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD) to the second group, HP + TENS + US + bicycle exercises to the third group and HP + TENS + Pulsed SWD + bicycle exercises to the fourth group. These therapy programs were applied for 3 weeks. Patients were evaluated with pain, the duration of 50 steps walking, and range of motion.

Results: Statistically significant improvement was observed all groups at the end of the therapy. The patients in groups who were subjected to bicycle exercises (Groups 3 and 4) were siginficantly better in terms of the decrease in pain and the duration of 50 steps walking than the other groups.

Conclusion: Physical therapy combinations involving bicycle exercises were found out to be more efficient than single physical therapy combinations.

Key Words: Knee Osteoarthritis, Bicycle Exercises, Ultrasound, Pulsed Shortwave Diathermy