Träning med mål och coachning för patienter med knäartros

Aim: To investigate if physical exercise in combination with coaching will reduce pain and improve knee function in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in the knee compared to physical exercise alone. Method: The study consisted of 42 patients who were randomized to either an intervention group or a control group. Both groups followed a standardized training program at home, but the intervention group received additional support with regard to the aim of their training, as well as extra coaching during the training period of ten weeks. A Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the patients’ pain. A 10 metre walking test, the Index of Muscle Function (IMF) and the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were also used to evaluate knee function. Patients’ compliance with the training program was also assessed. Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to the pain scores, walking speed, muscle function in the lower extremities or the knee function. A significant difference was found within the experimental group for the pain, the muscle function in the lower extremities and the related function of the knee. A significant difference was also found within the control group for the muscle function in the lower extremities and the related function of the knee. The level of compliance to the physical training program was comparable in the both groups. Conclusion: Use of coaching in combination with physical training at home did not show better results in the pain reduction, walking speed, muscle strength or functional improvement compared to the use of physical training alone. No difference was found in the compliance to the training program between the two groups despite the additional coaching to the intervention group