CONCLUSION strength training , Tai Chi and aerobics exercises  improved balance and falls risk in older individuals with knee OA , while water-based exercises and light treatment did not significantly improve balance outcomes .
Strength training , Tai Chi and aerobics exercises can therefore be recommended as falls prevention strategies for individuals with OA .
INTRODUCTION osteoarthritis ( OA ) of knee has been reported as a risk factor for falls and reduced  balance in the elderly .
This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapies in improving balance and reducing falls risk among patients with knee OA .
Is neuromuscular electrical stimulation effective for improving pain, function and activities of daily living of knee osteoarthritis patients? A randomized clinical trial.
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Neuromuscular electrical stimulation ( NMES ) has been used in rehabilitation protocol s for patients suffering from muscle weakness result ing from knee osteoarthritis . The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of an eight-week treatment program of NMES combined with exercises , for improving pain and function among patients with knee osteoarthritis . DESIGN AND SETTING R and omized clinical trial at Interlagos Specialty Ambulatory Clinic , Sao Paulo , Brazil . METHODS One hundred were r and omized into two groups : NMES group and control group . The following evaluation measurements were used : numerical pain scale from 0 to 10 , timed up and go ( TUG ) test , Lequesne index and activities of daily living ( ADL ) scale . RESULTS Eighty-two patients completed the study . From intention-to-treat ( ITT ) analysis comparing the groups , the NMES group showed a statistically significant improvement in relation to the control group , regarding pain intensity ( difference between means : 1.67 [ 0.31 to 3.02 ] ; P = 0.01 ) , Lequesne index ( difference between means : 1.98 [ 0.15 to 3.79 ] ; P = 0.03 ) and ADL scale ( difference between means : -11.23 [ -19.88 to -2.57 ] ; P = 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION NMES , within a rehabilitation protocol for patients with knee osteoarthritis , is effective for improving pain , function and activities of daily living , in comparison with a group that received an orientation program . CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN012607000357459
CONCLUSION strength training , Tai Chi and aerobics exercises  improved balance and falls risk in older individuals with knee OA , while water-based exercises and light treatment did not significantly improve balance outcomes .
Strength training , Tai Chi and aerobics exercises can therefore be recommended as falls prevention strategies for individuals with OA .
INTRODUCTION osteoarthritis ( OA ) of knee has been reported as a risk factor for falls and reduced  balance in the elderly .
This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physical therapies in improving balance and reducing falls risk among patients with knee OA .