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 .
Short-term effects of 890-nanometer radiation on pain, physical activity, and postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of short-term light therapy with 890-nm radiation on pain , physical activity , and postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis ( OA ) . DESIGN A double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study . SETTING Rehabilitation clinic . PARTICIPANTS Women ( n=62 ) and men ( n=10 ) with a mean age of 61.2 years ( range , 40 - 88y ) . All patients fulfilled the combined clinical and radiographic criteria for knee OA as established by the American College of Rheumatology , and all had obtained a Kellgren-Lawrence score of 2 or more . INTERVENTIONS Participants received 6 sessions , lasting 40 minutes each , of active or placebo radiation treatment over the knee joints for 2 weeks ( wavelength , 890 nm ; radiant power output , 6.24W ; power density , 34.7mW/cm(2 ) for 40 minutes ; total energy , 41.6J/cm(2 ) per knee per session ) . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Participants were assessed weekly over 4 weeks using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index ( WOMAC ) for pain , stiffness , and physical function . Physical activity ( timed stair climbing , 10-m fast-speed walking , and chair-rising time ) and postural stability ( using the postural stability evaluation system ) were also assessed . The pain score on WOMAC was the primary outcome variable . Data were analyzed by repeated- measures analysis of covariance . RESULTS Compared with baseline , no significant improvement was observed between groups for pain ( P=.546 ) , stiffness ( P=.573 ) , or physical function ( P=.904 ) . No significant improvement was noted for physical activity including the 10-m fast-speed walking time ( P=.284 ) , stair-climbing time ( P=.202 ) , stair-descending time ( P=.468 ) , chair-rising time ( P=.499 ) , or postural stability ( P=.986 ) at the 4 follow-up assessment s. Follow-up assessment s were conducted after 1 week of treatment ( thus , after 3 treatments ) ; after 2 weeks of treatment ( thus , after 6 treatments ) ; and 1 and 2 weeks , respectively , after treatment was terminated . Although we found a significant time effect for the 10-m fast-speed walking time ( P<.001 ) in the 2 groups , and a significant group effect in the improvement of stair-climbing time in the treatment group ( P=.032 ) , the group × time interaction effects were not significant . CONCLUSIONS Short-term 890-nm radiation therapy for patients with knee OA provided no beneficial effect in improving pain , physical activity , and postural stability
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 .