The frequency of visits by the physiotherapist of patients receiving home-based exercise therapy for knee osteoarthritis


Sen A., Gocen Z., Unver B., Karatosun V. A., Gunal I.

KNEE, vol.11, no.2, pp.151-153, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/s0968-0160(03)00077-2
  • Journal Name: KNEE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.151-153
  • Keywords: osteoarthritis, knee, home-based exercise, frequency of physiotherapy visits, PROGRAM
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Although home-based physiotherapy (PT) has an important role in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA), the optimal frequency of monitoring by the physiotherapist is not known. Ninety-six patients with bilateral Kellgren Lawrence grade 3 OA were divided into two groups. All patients received the same PT program but group 1 was monitored at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks, while group 2 was seen at 3 and 24 weeks. At the end of the study, both groups had improved their Hospital for Special Surgery score (P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. We conclude that the frequency of visits for a home-based exercise program can be decreased without affecting the success of the therapy. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.