Efficacy of Neuromuscular Training in Patients of Osteoarthritis Knee via Telerehabilitation

Research Objectives: 1. To evaluate the efficacy of Neuro Muscular Training (NMT) through telerehabilitation in OA knee using VAS and KOOS score.
2. To evaluate physical performance outcomes of Neuro Muscular Training (NMT) through telerehabilitation in OA knee.

Design: Interventional cohort study.
Follow-up duration: 3 months.

Setting: Clinically diagnosed patients of OA knee attending the OPD of PMR at a Tertiary care hospital, in India.

Participants: 30 patients diagnosed with primary OA knee of tibio-femoral joint as defined by ACR clinical and radiographic criteria having knee pain over the past week ≥25 on 100mm Visual analog scale with radiological grade l, ll, lll of knee osteoarthritis according to KL
classification and having access to smartphones/computer with internet connectivity.

Interventions: Neuromuscular training(NMT) was given at 1st visit and Video link of NMT was provided to the patient. Telerehabilitation NMT 1 session per week for initial 2 weeks thereafter every fortnight session were conducted along with home based NMT for at least 30 min daily for 12 weeks.

Main Outcome Measures: 1. For assessing clinical improvement:
i. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
ii. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

2. For assessing physical performance:
i. 30-s chair sit to stand test
ii. 40 m fast-paced walk test
iii. 9 steps stair- climb and descent test

Results: 95% CI were as follows: VAS -40(-50 to -40), KOOS 21(19.62 to 22.38), 30s-CST 3(2 to 2), 40m FPWT 0.29(0.12 to 0.20), 9-step SCT -3.75(-6.34 to -3.24).

Conclusions: From our study we found significant improvement in VAS, KOOS and physical performance outcomes in OA knee patients after neuromuscular training via telerehabilitation. We conclude that neuromuscular training provided via telerehabilitation medium in patients of OA knee is effective.

Author(s) Disclosures: Nil