The aim of PICO study is to design an aquatic exercise program specific for obese individuals with knee osteoarthritis which the main goals are OA symptoms management and the improvement of physical fitness. The author's opinion is that the musculoskeletal pain is the main constraint for any kind of mobility and its control should be considered as an important goal in the weight management's programs. Therefore the PICO project proposes an aquatic exercise program to controlling pain and other symptoms management, showing that it is possible to live with the disease, and motivating the change in lifestyle, thus preventing the installation or worsening of KOA. In this way, five hypotheses were formulated: H1. 3 months of aquatic exercise is enough to improve KOA symptoms and functionality in obese individuals; H2. The gait parameters of obese individuals with KOA can be improved by aquatic exercise; H3. Beyond the exercises skills, aquatic exercise group classes can work with an educational component, promoting lifestyles changes. H4: Pain reduction and a better psychological status can lead an increase of functionally, increasing amount of physical activity. H5: Even if the main goal is not weight management, the aquatic exercise program can lead a weight reduction or body composition change.
The PICO program is an overall body fitness and mind intervention through aquatic exercise involving as well an education component, created specifically for individuals with KOA. Its a single-blinded, one center, and randomized controlled trial with 3 months duration. Participants will be randomized into one of two groups: aquatic exercise (AE) and control group (CG) which will participate in an educational program with the same hourly load.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
50
Control Group
Technical University of Lisbon
Lisbon, Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, Portugal
Knee Osteoarthritis symptoms
Pain, stiffness and other symptoms should be assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI); Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and by the Knee Injury and arthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Health Quality of Life
The MOS Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12)and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) will be used to asses Quality of life and Psychological status
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Physical Function
Physical function will be assessed by the following functional tests: The Six Minutes Walking Test to verify aerobic capacity and the walking ability; The Chair Sit and Reach test for hamstring flexibility; The Back Scratch Test for overall shoulder range of motion; The Five-Repetition Sit-To-Stand Test for functional strength .
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Strength
A dynamometer will be used for isokinetic assessment of knee strength (flexor and extensor muscles) and isometric knee strength, bilaterally; The Handgrip Strength Test will evaluate maximal isometric force of the muscles of the hand and forearm.
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Gait
Kinematics and kinetics outcomes will be analyzed from gait test (gait speed, gait cycle, ground reaction forces and knee forces moments).
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Body composition
Body composition. Body Mass Index and a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner will be used to measure whole body lean mass, fat mass and bone mineral content.
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Body Morphology
Body Morphology will be registered by anthropometric measurements (body mass, stature, foot length, and waist, hip, mid-thigh and calf circumference).
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Lifestyle
Lifestyle should be assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)and by the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI).
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
Inflammatory Markers
The main measures are Interleukin 6 (IL-6),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), TNFα and TNFα soluble receptor 1(sTNFR1).
Time frame: "Change" (e.g., "baseline and 12 weeks")
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