AB1425-HPR The effects of aerobic exercise training on pain and disability from osteoarthritis of the knee in postmenopausal women
Authors: A Daşkapan, F. Kilic, E. D. KESKIN
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> The prevalence, incidence and severity of osteoarthritis (OA) increases in women after menopause. It was indicated that, loss of oestrogen at menopause period was related to the increase in the risk of OA development. It was well documented that aerobic exercise training has positive effects on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and menopausal symptoms however we did not found study on the effects of aerobic training in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis. <h3>Objectives</h3> Objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise training on pain and disability in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis <h3>Methods</h3> The study was approved by the Kirikkale University Ethic Committee. 50 voluntary postmenopausal women aged 48–78 years, with stage 2–3 knee OA according to the Lawrence classification were recruited to the study. The clinical information (age, menopause age, duration of OA, etc.) of the patients were questioned. The cases were randomly divided into two groups as control which was performed combine physiotherapy and treatment group. Combine physiotherapy lasted three weeks and included hot pack, short wave diathermy, transcutaneal electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and home exercises. After completed treatment, physiotherapist asked the patients to perform home exercises two times every day in three weeks period. In the treatment group, in addition to combine physiotherapy, walking training on the treadmill performed 5 days/week during 6 weeks. The training intensity was%50–70 maximal heart rate (220-age). 40 min total exercise duration, consisted of a five minute warm-up and cool-down, 30 min brisk walking. Both groups were evaluated before and after 6 six weeks the treatment. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to the pain evaluation. Functional ability was assessed by Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 16 software. <h3>Results</h3> It was not observed significant difference on age, body mass index, menopause age, menopause duration and VAS value, WOMAC scores (subscales of pain, stiffness and physical function) before the treatment. (p&gt;0.05). After the treatment, VAS value, WOMAC all subscales' scores were significantly different in favour of treatment group (p&lt;0.05). It was found that, VAS value and WOMAC all subscales' scores improved in both groups after the treatment (p&lt;0,05). Subscales of WOMAC' scores and VAS value showed a significant increase that corresponds to a large effect (d&gt;0.8) in the treatment group. In the control group, only VAS value showed a significant increase that corresponds to a large effect (d&gt;0.8), other increases on WOMAC subscales that corresponds to small and moderate effects (d=0.38–0.58). <h3>Conclusions</h3> Aerobic exercise training which added to the combined physiotherapy may contribute to decrease of pain and disability in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis. <h3>References</h3> [1] Felson DT. The epidemiology of knee osteoarthritis: results from the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study. Semin Arthritis Rheum, 1990; 20(3Suppl 1): 42–50. [2] Parazzini F. Progretto Menopausa Italia Study Group Menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy use and risk of self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis in women attending menopause clinics in Italy. Maturitas, 2003; 20 (46): 207–12. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared