The purpose of the study is to investigate whether adding Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) to the usual treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis improves their cardiopulmonary endurance and functional mobility more than standard care alone.
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common degenerative joint disorder associated with pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and decreased physical activity. Reduced activity levels often result in impaired cardiopulmonary fitness and decreased aerobic capacity. Previous evidence suggests that individuals with severe KOA exhibit diminished inspiratory muscle strength and lower exercise tolerance. Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) strengthens respiratory muscles and improves ventilatory efficiency. IMT is a technique in which a person breathes in against resistance using a special device such as POWERbreathe to make the breathing muscles stronger. Since conventional rehabilitation primarily focuses on pain reduction and lower limb strengthening, incorporating IMT may provide additional benefits without imposing extra stress on the knee joint. This study aims to compare conventional KOA treatment combined with IMT against conventional treatment combined with sham IMT over a six-week intervention period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
65
The POWERBREATH devices utilize calibrated resistance valves to force your breathing muscles to work harder, which naturally builds their power, stamina, and efficiency. IMT through POWERbreathe * 30 quick breaths two times a day at an adjustable resistance (equivalent to∼50% of (baseline) MIP). * Increased up to 35 breaths as per patient's tolerance.
* 60 slow breaths once daily at a load setting of 0 (corresponding to∼15% (baseline) MIP). * Training load adjustment was prevented using sticky tape applied to the device's load adjuster.
IIMCT Railway general hospital
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, Pakistan
Six-Minute Walk Test Assessment of cardiopulmonary endurance and aerobic capacity. Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, Week 6 Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Assessment of cardiopulmonary endurance and aerobic capacity. Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, Wee
Assessment of cardiopulmonary endurance
Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)
Assessment of funcional mobility.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). The minimum possible score is 0, the maximum possible score is 10, and higher scores represent greater pain intensity (worse outcome).
Time frame: : Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Assessment of pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Total Score: The WOMAC is a self-reported questionnaire assessing pain, stiffness, and physical function in individuals with osteoarthritis. The total score ranges from 0 to 96, where 0 indicates no symptoms or functional impairment and 96 indicates the most severe symptoms and functional impairment. Higher scores indicate a worse outcome.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 3, Week 6
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