Effects of resistance exercise using the elastic band on the pain and function of patients with degenerative knee arthritis

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of a Krill Oil, Astaxanthin, and Oral Hyaluronic Acid Complex on Joint Health in People with Mild Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a significant global health problem. Many patients seek more effective alternatives to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or commercial supplements to manage joint pain and inflammation. FlexPro MD® (FP-MD) combines krill oil, astaxanthin, and lower molecular weight hyaluronic acid to support joint health. A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial compared the efficacy and safety of FP-MD and placebo once daily in participants (n = 100) with mild osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint. For the primary endpoint of joint pain score, per-protocol participants (n = 75) in the FP-MD group (n = 37) had a statistically significantly greater mean reduction from baseline in the Korean Visual Analog Scale (K-VAS) at week 12 compared with participants in the placebo group (n = 38) (20.8 ± 16.16 mm vs. 10.6 ± 17.58, p = 0.0105). The Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (K-WOMAC) total score was also significantly improved in the FP-MD group at week 12 compared with placebo (-13.0 ± 13.62 vs. -5.5 ± 18.08, p = 0.0489), especially an improvement in pain score (-2.5 ± 2.92 vs. -1.3 ± 3.94, p = 0.02635). FP-MD group had greater improvement in joint function scoring by investigator assessment (p = 0.0127) and by group participants (p = 0.0070). A statistically significantly greater number of patients reported adverse events in the placebo group compared with the FP-MD group (16% vs. 4%, p = 0.0455), most commonly gastrointestinal disorders in both of the groups. These findings suggest that FP-MD is well tolerated and can be effectively used to address joint pain in patients diagnosed with mild osteoarthritis, the main symptom of this condition.

The effects of elastic band exercise on the pain, kinesiophobia, functional, and psychological status after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Elastic band exercise not only improves muscle strength and elasticity, increases efficiency, balance, and quality of life but also decreases the injury risk. This study was conducted to determine the effect of elastic band exercise on pain, kinesiophobia, functional, and psychological status after total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

This study was conducted out between October 2019 and April 2020 as a randomized controlled experimental study with a total of 60 patients. Data collection tools in this study included a descriptive information form, visual analog scale, Tampa Kinesiophobia, WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index, and Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS

Before intervention, the total score of VAS, WOMAC, Tampa Kinesiophobia, and Beck Depression showed no statistically significant difference between intervention group and control group. However, 4 weeks after intervention observed a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of VAS (U = 10,000; p < 0.001), WOMAC (U = 0.00; p < 0.001), Tampa Kinesiophobia (U = 221.5; p = 0.001), and Beck Depression means score (U = 112.5; p < 0.001). In addition, 4 weeks after the intervention, joint range and walking test assessments were statistically significant between the intervention and control groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of the research showed that elastic band exercise had a positive effect on psychological and functional capacity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry (registration number NCT04981106) Key points • Patients with total knee arthroplasty require rehabilitation exercise to avoid physical function weakness. • Elastic band exercise significantly reduces patients' fear of movement and depression. • Elastic band exercise activities facilitate significant physical motion function. • Elastic band exercise inspires the will of patients to engage in home rehabilitation exercise patients after total knee arthroplasty.

Gender Differences in Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction of the Elderly with Multimorbidity in Korea

To enhance the life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity, it is necessary to investigate the relevant factors and to examine the differences in factors according to gender. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting life satisfaction of the elderly with multimorbidity in the community by gender in Korea. We analyzed data from 2140 participants with multimorbidity who were aged 65 or older and participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA) in 2016. A multivariate linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the factors affecting life satisfaction among male and female older participants with multimorbidity. The most common pattern of multimorbidity of women was hypertension and arthritis/rheumatism, while that of men was hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Some factors, such as depression, exercise, and number of chronic diseases, affected both male and female participants, but others related to life satisfaction varied by gender. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of multiple chronic diseases, and policy support should be provided in consideration of gender differences to improve the life satisfaction of the elderly.

EMG, Rate of Perceived Exertion, Pain, Tolerability and Possible Adverse Effects of a Knee Extensor Exercise with Progressive Elastic Resistance in Patients with Severe Haemophilia

In people with haemophilia (PWH), elastic band training is considered an optimal option, even though the literature is scarce. The aim was to evaluate normalized electromyographic amplitude (nEMG), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), pain, tolerability, and possible adverse effects during the knee extension exercise using multiple elastic resistance intensities in PWH. During a single session, 14 severe PWH undergoing prophylactic treatment performed knee extensions without resistance and with different intensity levels of elastic resistance. nEMG was measured for the knee extensors and participants rated their RPE, tolerability and pain intensity after each condition. Patients had to report the possible adverse effects after the session. In most of the cases, an nEMG increase is only evidenced after increasing the resistance by two to three levels. Significant associations were found between RPE and the nEMG (ρ = 0.61), as well as between the elastic resistance level and nEMG (ρ = 0.69) and RPE (ρ = 0.71). All conditions were generally tolerated, without increased pain, and no adverse effects were reported. A wide variety of elastic resistance intensities during the knee extension are safe, tolerated, and do not increase knee pain in the majority of severe PWH undergoing prophylactic treatment.