Effects of physical rehabilitation on pain perception and functional capabilities in individuals with osteoarthritis

Rehabilitation is widely recommended in national and international guidelines for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and is considered one of the main treatment strategies for patients with OA. Osteoarthritis rehabilitation includes physical exercise, strength training, weight-control, and self-control training and includes transitioning to an active lifestyle.

A review of the effectiveness and safety of rehabilitation for the treatment of OA was conducted, and international evidence-based recommendations were analyzed. Physical therapy is widely recommended for the treatment of OA. In this review we focused on exercises on land and water, and strength training for OA. In general, evidence indicates that physical therapy and special strengthening exercises or strength training for the lower extremities can reduce pain and improve physical function in knee joint OA. Data from other OA localities are less reliable. Therefore, considering the lack of special studies, recommendations for treating hip and hand OA are based on studies on knee OA. In addition, no recommendations regarding the exercise regime have been developed. The effectiveness and safety of physical therapy and strength training should be further evaluated in randomized controlled trials involving patients with OA of the hip joint and hands. It is also necessary to define the optimal composition of exercise programs more clearly.

A search of relevant literature was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Database from 2014 to March 1, 2024. Exclusion criteria: absence of comparison groups; total number of study participants <20 and premature termination of the study.

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