Impact of physical exercise on daily living activities among women with early osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rheumatic disease of the knee and causes uncontrolled pain and disability. It affects millions of people across different races at different ages and of both sexes. Daily physical exercise is the first line of management for women with early OA to maintain muscle strength, physical fitness, and overall health. Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of physical exercise on the activities of daily living in women with early OA. Participants and methods A quasiexperimental design ‘time-series’ was used to achieve the objectives of the study. A total of 46 women were recruited from the outpatient clinic of El-Demerdash University Hospital. Tools of data collection Three tools were developed and used by researchers to collect the data: (a) a structured interview questionnaire; (b) scale of daily living activities; and (c) a physical exercise questionnaire for women with OA. The women performed exercises at the rate of one session per week for a period of 1 month in the presence of researchers, who clarified any queries. Results The women were aged 43–65 years, with a mean age of 41.8±14.67 years. There are significant differences regarding pain intensity, degree of difficulty, and need for assistance after practicing physical exercises. Conclusion A regular exercise program improved the daily living activity levels of women with early OA. There was also a significant improvement in pain, knee flexion, muscle strength, and functional capacity after practicing physical exercise. Recommendation Nurses have an active role in raising awareness about the importance of physical exercise in the treatment of early OA. Hospitals should implement a plan of action to include exercise in early OA treatment for women.