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 .
Effects of a quantitative progressive rehabilitation program applied unilaterally to the osteoarthritic knee.
Decreases in muscular strength , endurance , and angular velocity have previously been demonstrated in the elderly . Osteoarthritis ( OA ) , especially of the knee , may cause further reductions in these parameters and lead to functional limitations . This study measured the effects of a quantitative progressive exercise muscle rehabilitation program ( QPE ) that was added to a physical therapy ( PT ) program .  Forty subjects ( 20 men and 20 women ) with OA of the knees were r and omly selected from a group of volunteers ( N = 437 ) for the 3-month program . Measurements of strength , endurance , angular velocity , and the Jette Functional Status Index were determined before and after 1 , 2 , and 3 months of the program . The QPE program was composed of isometric , isotonic , isotonic with resistance , endurance , and speed contractions prescribed in a progressive sequence . Muscle strength ( 14 % and 29 % ) and endurance ( 38 % and 43 % ) increased significantly ( p < 0.05 , ANOVA for repeated measures ) for both the quadriceps and hamstrings , respectively , after rehabilitation . There were marked decreases in walking time and the difficulty and pain experienced during functional activities
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 .