Cross-Education From Unilateral Strength and Balance Training in Older Adults With Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Summary

Kinesitherapy is one of the main tools in the rehabilitation of knee osteoarthritis, but is often limited due to pain, reduced functionality, and fear of falling in older adults. This study will, through three sub-studies, examine the effects of unilateral training programs on strength, movement control, balance, and pain in the contralateral leg, as well as on functionality, fall risk, and kinesiophobia in older adults with bilateral knee osteoarthritis through three sub-studies. A total of 45 participants (aged 60-80 years) with bilateral knee osteoarthritis will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1. combined unilateral strength and balance training; 2. unilateral balance training; 3. unilateral strength training. Strength will be measured with maximal voluntary contraction, balance using a single leg stance test on an unstable surface, movement control with an active joint position reproduction test, and functionality using the six-minute walk test and the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire. Pain will be assessed with the Visual Analog Scale and the Intermittent and Constant Osteoarthritis Pain questionnaire, fall risk with the Timed Up and Go test and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International questionnaire, and kinesiophobia using the TAMPA questionnaire. This study will expand knowledge on cross-transfer and its effects on symptoms in the rehabilitation of older adults with bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

This research is a part of a doctoral thesis conducted under the supervision of assoc. prof. Tatjana Trošt, PhD.

Conditions

• Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

Interventions

OTHER

8-Week Unilateral Strength and Balance Program for the Less Affected Leg in Older Adults With Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Participants perform unilateral exercises with the less affected leg, combining strength and balance training. Each session lasts 50 minutes, including warm-up, main exercises (15-20 min), and relaxation. The program consists of 24 sessions over 8 weeks.

OTHER

8-Week Unilateral Balance Training Program for the Less Affected Leg in Older Adults With Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Participants perform unilateral balance exercises with the less affected leg. Each 50-minute session includes warm-up, 15-20 minutes of main balance exercises, and relaxation. The program lasts 8 weeks with 24 sessions.

OTHER

8-Week Unilateral Strength Training Program for the Less Affected Leg in Older Adults With Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Participants perform unilateral strength exercises with the less affected leg. Each 50-minute session includes warm-up, 15-20 minutes of main strength exercises, and relaxation. The program lasts 8 weeks with 24 sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Zagreb, The Faculty of Kinesiology

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of Zagreb

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-09-30

Primary Completion

2027-12-31

Completion

2027-12-31

Countries

• Croatia

Study Locations