Follow-up of a Wuqinxi exercise at home programme to reduce pain and improve function for knee osteoarthritis in older people: a randomised controlled trial

Background Exercise therapy is a key intervention in the management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and recommended in international guidelines on KOA management. An effective home-exercise programme for frail older adults with KOA was successful in achieving high adherence. This randomised controlled trial was to compare the adherence to the exercise and lasting effects of follow-up 3 months. Methods Sixty-eight participants in the original Wuqinxi (WQX) exercise study were community dwelling older adults (age = 70.95 ± 9.85 years) with KOA were categorised into 34 controls group, 34 WQX group adherers. The Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire score (WOMAC) pain and Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, 6-min Walk Test, 30-s chair stand test, isokinetic muscle strength testing of knee flexion and extension measured at pre-test and post-test of the intervention period and follow-up for two groups. Results The WQX group maintained or improved in all nine measures from post-test to follow-up, whereas the control group significantly declined in WOMAC pain, Knee extensor strength and Knee flexor strength. Conclusion The WQX programme was an effective home-exercise programme that achieves high adherence in older adults with KOA who lived in these communities.