This study compares the effects of three different intensities of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC) on balance ability, proprioception, muscle strength, KOA symptoms, and inflammatory factors in synovial fluid among elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA).
A total of 120 elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) will be recruited and randomly assigned into four groups using a digital randomization method: low-intensity group (n = 30), medium-intensity group (n = 30), high-intensity group (n = 30), and control group (n = 30). The elderly individuals in the low-, medium-, and high-intensity groups will receive five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps will perform an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The low-, medium-, and high-intensity groups will perform 10, 20, and 30 repetitions per set, respectively, of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC) (guided by a rhythmic timer), completing a total of 10 sets with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention will last for 16 weeks. Researchers will follow up with participants weekly to complete exercise record forms, ensuring that all subjects maintain their original lifestyle and dietary habits. The study aims to compare the effects of three different intensities of MIC on balance ability, proprioception, muscle strength, KOA symptoms, and inflammatory factors in synovial fluid among elderly individuals with KOA.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
120
Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 10 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.
Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 20 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.
KOA Symptoms
The symptoms of patients with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scale. This scale comprises three dimensions: pain (5 items), stiffness (2 items), and functional limitation (17 items), totaling 24 items. Participants were required to mark their responses on a visual analog scale ranging from 0 to 100 millimeters, which were then measured and recorded by professionals using a ruler. The maximum scores for pain, stiffness, and functional limitation are 500, 200, and 1700 points, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater severity of symptoms. For the Chinese KOA patient population, the scale has demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α \> 0.7) and good reliability (ICC \> 0.8) (Xie et al., Quality of Life Research, 2008).
Time frame: 16 weeks
Balance Ability
The BioDex Balance System from the United States was used to test the participants' balance ability, with three tests conducted and the average value taken.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Muscle Strength
The IsoMed 2000 isokinetic dynamometer from Germany was used to test the isokinetic muscle strength of the participants' bilateral knee joints.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Proprioception
The BioDex isokinetic dynamometer from the United States was used to test the proprioception of the participants' dominant knee joint.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Expression of IL-1β in Knee Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of IL-1β mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Expression of TNF-α in Knee Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of TNF-α mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.
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Firstly, they received the same health education as the control group. Subsequently, the elderly individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) underwent five interventions per week targeting the quadriceps femoris muscle. For each intervention, the quadriceps performed an isometric contraction and relaxation for 1 second each. The intervention consisted of 30 repetitions per set of Muscle Isometric Contraction (MIC), guided by a rhythmic timer, for a total of 10 sets, with a 30-second rest between sets. The entire intervention lasted for 16 weeks.
Time frame: 16 weeks
Expression of MMP-13 in Knee Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid was aspirated from one or both knee joints of the participants, with a total volume of 1 mL collected. The expression of MMP-13 mRNA was measured using RT-qPCR.
Time frame: 16 weeks