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Muscle Power Is an Independent Determinant of Pain and Quality of Life in Knee Osteoarthritis
Author(s) -
Reid Kieran F.,
Price Lori Lyn,
Harvey William F.,
Driban Jeffrey B.,
Hau Cynthia,
Fielding Roger A.,
Wang Chenchen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
arthritis and rheumatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.106
H-Index - 314
eISSN - 2326-5205
pISSN - 2326-5191
DOI - 10.1002/art.39336
Subject(s) - osteoarthritis , medicine , physical therapy , quality of life (healthcare) , population , muscle strength , physical medicine and rehabilitation , alternative medicine , nursing , pathology , environmental health
Objective This study examined the relationships between leg muscle strength, power, and perceived disease severity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis (OA) in order to determine whether dynamic leg extensor muscle power would be associated with pain and quality of life in knee OA. Methods Baseline data on 190 subjects with knee OA (mean ± SD age 60.2 ± 10.4 years, body mass index 32.7 ± 7.2 kg/m 2 ) were obtained from a randomized controlled trial. Knee pain was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, and health‐related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form 36 (SF‐36). One‐repetition maximum (1RM) strength was assessed using the bilateral leg press, and peak muscle power was measured during 5 maximum voluntary velocity repetitions at 40% and 70% of 1RM. Results In univariate analysis, greater muscle power was significantly associated with pain (r = −0.17, P < 0.02) and also significantly and positively associated with SF‐36 physical component summary (PCS) scores (r = 0.16, P < 0.05). After adjustment for multiple covariates, muscle power was a significant independent predictor of pain ( P ≤ 0.05) and PCS scores ( P ≤ 0.04). However, muscle strength was not an independent determinant of pain or quality of life ( P ≥ 0.06). Conclusion Muscle power is an independent determinant of pain and quality of life in knee OA. Compared to strength, muscle power may be a more clinically important measure of muscle function within this population. New trials to systematically examine the impact of muscle power training interventions on disease severity in knee OA are particularly warranted.