Comparison of eccentric versus concentric strengthening exercise of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy for the patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Purpose: To find out the effectiveness of eccentric strengthening and concentric strengthening of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy for the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Objectives: To assess the effect on pain and disability of knee osteoarthritis patients after applying eccentric versus concentric strengthening exercise of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy. Methodology: The study was a quantitative clinical trial. 60 patients were allocated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The age range was 32- 75 years old. They received 6 sessions of treatment for 3 weeks. Numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) & WOMAC were used in the study to see the effectiveness in the pretest and posttest values of pain and disability. Results: Among 60 participants with knee OA in this study, 30 participants received eccentric strengthening exercise of hamstring muscles and 30 participants received concentric strengthening exercise of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy. Each participant of both experimental and control group scored on Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and WOMAC before and after completion of treatment. Wilcoxon Signed ranked test applied to the post-test pain score of the participants in both groups were revealed a statistically significant difference at the level of P= 0.000 (P< 0.05). Following application of treatment, the study found that the eccentric strengthening group showed a significant improvement (p<0.05) in some cases than the concentric strengthening group. The eccentric strengthening of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy showed better improvement than concentric strengthening of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy for the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Though both groups were effective in posttest values and their P values were significant (P< 0.05). The eccentric group showed more significance in 6 more points among 24 points of WOMAC index. Conclusion: The quantitative clinical trial showed that eccentric strengthening of hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy were more effective than concentric strengthening on hamstring muscles along with conventional physiotherapy for the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Key words: Osteoarthritis, knee OA, eccentric strengthening, concentric strengthening.