Jul 2026· International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research· Vol 8· 0 citations· 10 references
TL;DR
Pain intensity strongly predicts functional decline in EKOA, highlighting the need for early pain management with strengthening interventions to preserve function and delay progression and showing that higher pain intensity is linked with greater functional limitation.
Abstract
Background and purpose: Early knee Osteoarthritis (EKOA), despite minor changes on X-ray, often presents with considerable pain and limitations of function. Pain is considered the primary factor influencing activity restriction, yet the link between severity of pain and measurable functional performance in EKOA remains underexplored.
Method: This pilot study recruited 15 participants (aged 41–55 years) with radiographically confirmed EKOA (Kellgren–Lawrence grade 1 - 2). The severity of pain was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and disability using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Objective functional ability was examined using the Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30 second Chair Stand Test (CSTS), and Stair Climb Test (SC). Pearson correlation was used to examine pain-function association.
Result: Pain intensity showed a strong positive correlation with TUG (r = 0.903, p = 0.000) and SC (r = 0.791, p =0 .000), and a strong negative correlation with CSTS repetitions (r = –0.925, p =0 .000), confirming that higher pain intensity is linked with greater functional limitation.
Conclusion: This pilot study shows pain intensity strongly predicts functional decline in EKOA. It highlights reduced strength and mobility, underscoring the need for early pain management with strengthening interventions to preserve function and delay progression.
There is a need for an integrated assessment combining clinical evaluation and radiological findings to guide treatment planning for patients with knee OA, and BMI is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis.
Krishna bahadur Bista, R. Dhakal, Bodh Raj Gautam et al.· A Bi-annual South Asian Jour...· 0 citations
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the differences between groups with and without nocturnal pain (NP) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in terms of radiographic stage, disease severity, neuropathic pain, central sensitivity, sleep quality, physical activity level, and number of hospital visits. Methods: The study included 150 patients with KOA (101 women, 49 men; mean age 64 years (IQR: 9; range: 40–81)). Kellgren–Lawrence (KL) grading was used for radiographic staging, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for KOA disease severity, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN-4) questionnaire for neuropathic pain, the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) for central sensitization, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF) for physical activity level. Results: In our KOA patient group, the prevalence of NP was found to be 64.7%. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed as the primary inferential analysis. Age, sex, educational level, body mass index, disease duration, KL grade, and WOMAC total score were entered simultaneously into the model. After adjustment for the included covariates, only the WOMAC total score remained independently associated with NP. Each one-point increase in the WOMAC total score was associated with an 11.7% increase in the odds of NP (adjusted OR = 1.117, 95% CI 1.068–1.168, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Given that it affects more than half of patients with KOA and is associated with higher disease severity, we emphasize the need for careful management of NP in KOA patients.
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disorder characterized by pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and functional limitations. Physiotherapy is an important component of conservative management and may reduce pain and improve daily functioning. However, evidence regarding short-term changes in pain and functional impact following a defined course of physiotherapy remains limited. Objective: To assess changes in pain intensity and daily functional impact among patients with KOA following six physiotherapy sessions. Methodology: A quantitative longitudinal observational study included 80 patients with KOA, aged 40–65 years, recruited through non-probability convenience sampling from hospitals and physiotherapy centers in Quetta, Pakistan. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale before treatment and after six physiotherapy sessions. Demographic and clinical characteristics, pain frequency and location, duration, previous physiotherapy experience, daily functional impact, and adherence to prescribed home exercise programs were also recorded. Results: The mean age of participants was 50.96 ± 7.57 years, with 70.0% being male. Daily pain was reported by 91.3% of participants, while bilateral knee pain was reported by 63.7%. Most participants (73.8%) had no previous physiotherapy experience. Mean NPRS scores decreased from 3.76 at baseline to 2.59 after six physiotherapy sessions. The proportion of participants reporting severe pain decreased from 76.3% to 0%, while the proportion reporting mild pain increased from 0% to 41.3%. The proportion reporting a severe impact of pain on daily activities decreased from 56.3% to 10%. Adherence to prescribed home exercise programs was reported by 71.3% of participants. Conclusion: Six physiotherapy sessions were associated with reduced pain and daily functional impact in patients with KOA. These findings support structured physiotherapy for conservative management; however, further controlled studies with standardized protocols and longer follow-up are needed to establish treatment effectiveness.
Syed Muhammad Shah, N. Ain, Zulqarnain Zehri et al.· The Healer Journal of Physio...· 0 citations
Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common and debilitating condition where exercise is a key management strategy. However, the effectiveness of calisthenics and neuromuscular exercises remains unclear.
Objective: This study compared the effects of calisthenics and neuromuscular exercises on pain, balance, and functional limitations in patients with knee OA.
Methods: This study (RIPHAH/FRAHS/letter-0891) was conducted at Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi. Forty-two participants with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence grades II–III) were recruited using convenience sampling and randomly allocated (n=21/group) into calisthenic and neuromuscular training groups. Both groups received supervised 45-minute treatment, 3 times weekly for six weeks. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 3rd, and 6th week using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Mini-Best Test, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). A two-way mixed ANOVA was performed to evaluate group × time interaction effect. When significant interaction effects were observed, one-way ANOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA was used for between and within-group comparisons respectively.
Results: The group x time interaction effect was significant, with greater improvement in balance and functional performance for calisthenic group, where Mini-BESTest scores increased from 15.50±1.82 to 25.28±0.82, compared with 15.67±1.37 to 18.56±0.70 in the neuromuscular group (p<0.001; ?²=0.860). WOMAC score decreased from 78.89±7.23 to 46.44±4.06 in calisthenic group, and from 83.17±3.98 to 59.22±4.02 in neuromuscular group (p<0.001; ?²=0.295).
Conclusion: This study concluded that both neuromuscular and calisthenic training are effective in reducing pain and improving physical function and balance in patients with KOA but calisthenic group exhibited greater reduction in functional limitation and balance performance.
Clinical Trial Number: NCT05173649
Tayyeba Majid, Aruba Saeed, Misbah Ghous et al.· Foundation University Journa...· 0 citations
Pain and physical and mental component of quality of life both were negatively correlated and there was significant difference between socio-demographic variables with physical and mental component of quality of life.
N. Labh, S. Karna, Bhim Maya Yakha· Journal of Advanced Academic...· 0 citations
Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between knee pain severity and functional performance, as well as hip and knee muscle strength and trunk endurance, in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 50 participants diagnosed with PFPS. An 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the severity of knee pain, and the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) was used to quantify functional ability. Hip extensors, abductors, medial and lateral rotators, and knee extensors were tested for strength using a handheld dynamometer. Trunk endurance was assessed through plank tests in anterior, posterior, and lateral positions. Results: A significant inverse relationship was identified between pain intensity and functional performance (r = -0.504, p < 0.001). Body mass index (BMI) exhibited a negative relationship with performance (B = -7.459, p = 0.021). Knee extensor strength (B = 0.156, p < 0.0001) and lateral plank endurance (B = 1.457, p = 0.002) showed a positive relationship with functional performance. Conclusion: Higher pain levels and BMI were related to poorer function in individuals with PFPS. In contrast, greater quadriceps strength and increased lateral core endurance were correlated with better functional outcomes.
Mehri Shakerinasab, Mohammad Jafar Shaterzadeh Yazdi, N. Pirayeh et al.· The Archives of Bone & Joint...· 0 citations
We use cookies to run the site and, with your consent, for analytics and to show ads.
See our Cookie Policy.
