Several individual RCTs demonstrated clinical ly important improvements in pain and disability with aerobic exercise .
Other PT interventions demonstrated no sustained benefit .
Individual RCTs showed similar benefits with aerobic , aquatic , and strengthening exercise .
Adverse events were uncommon and did not deter participants from continuing treatment .
Low-strength evidence suggested that only a few PT interventions were effective .
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability .
Nonsurgical treatment is a key first step .
PURPOSE Systematic literature review of physical therapy ( PT ) interventions for community-dwelling adults with knee osteoarthritis .
Efficacy of 2 non-weight-bearing interventions, proprioception training versus strength training, for patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.
STUDY DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical and functional efficacy of 2 different non-weight-bearing exercise regimens , proprioceptive training ( PrT ) versus strength training ( ST ) , for patients with knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) . BACKGROUND Both strength and proprioceptive training are important interventions for individuals with knee OA . The benefits of weight-bearing exercises are generally recognized in the clinical setting . However , exercising in a st and ing or weight-bearing position may aggravate symptoms in patients with knee OA . METHODS AND MEASURES One hundred eight patients were r and omly assigned to the PrT , ST , or no exercise ( control ) group for an 8-week intervention . Both the PrT and ST interventions consisted of non-weight-bearing exercises .  Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index-pain ( WOMAC-pain ) and -function scores , walking time on 3 different terrains , knee strength , and absolute knee reposition error were assessed before and after intervention . Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVAs . RESULTS Both PrT and ST significantly improved WOMAC-pain and -function score after intervention ( P<.008 ) . The improvement secondary to ST in the WOMAC-function scores ( 17.2 points ) and for knee extension strength ( 10.3 - 14.9 Nm ) was greater than the minimally clinical ly important difference for these measurements . The PrT group demonstrated greater improvement in walking time on a spongy surface and knee reposition error than the other 2 groups . No improvements were apparent in the control group . CONCLUSION Both types of non-weight-bearing exercises ( PrT and ST ) significantly improved outcomes in this study . PrT led to greater improvements in proprioceptive function , while ST result ed in a greater increase in knee extensor muscle strength
Several individual RCTs demonstrated clinical ly important improvements in pain and disability with aerobic exercise .
Other PT interventions demonstrated no sustained benefit .
Individual RCTs showed similar benefits with aerobic , aquatic , and strengthening exercise .
Adverse events were uncommon and did not deter participants from continuing treatment .
Low-strength evidence suggested that only a few PT interventions were effective .
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability .
Nonsurgical treatment is a key first step .
PURPOSE Systematic literature review of physical therapy ( PT ) interventions for community-dwelling adults with knee osteoarthritis .