Effectiveness of Quadriceps Exercises on Knee Pain and Muscle Strength among Elderly People in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University,Egypt.

2 Assistant professor of Gerontological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University,Egypt.

3 Assistant professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background: Knee pain is a common complaint in older adults. Exercise is now consistently recommended in improving Quadriceps muscle. Aim: To investigate the effect of quadriceps exercises on knee pain and muscle strength among elderly people. Method: Experimental research design was used. This study was implemented at the elderly Clubs in Assiut Governorate. The studied sample involved 150 elderly (75 study, 75 control) who selected by simple random sample technique. An interview questionnaire was used which included their socio-demographic characteristics, measurement of quadriceps muscle strength and Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score scale which contained 5 separately scored subscales (pain, symptoms and stiffness, function in daily living, function in sport and recreation, and knee-related quality of life). Results: There were significant relationship between KOOS Sub-domains in pre and post-test among elderly people (study group) (P. value= 0.046, 0.014, 0.004, 0.010) except in sport/Rec domain (P. value= 0.354) and in quadric muscle strength measurement (P value= 0.001). Conclusion: Quadriceps exercises are effective in the decreasing pain, improvement of function and quality of life for elderly patients with knee joint pain. Therapeutic exercise should be used to relieve pain, stiffness and improvement of physical function for elderly patient. 

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