Background
Hip osteoarthritis (OA) limits lower extremity physical function. Exercise therapy may improve physical function and reduce pain in patients with hip OA.
Objective
To evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to measure the effect of a structured hip‐specific resistance and aerobic exercise program on physical function and self‐reported pain in adults with hip OA.
Design
Pilot RCT.
Setting
Academic medical center.
Participants
Thirty one adults with radiographic hip OA.
Interventions
Participants were randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to a 3‐month structured exercise intervention (n = 21) or a 3‐month waitlist control (n = 10).
Main Outcome Measures
The 6‐minute walk test was the primary outcome measure. Self‐reported physical function was assessed with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function subscale and pain visual analog scale (VAS). Measures of feasibility were assessed as secondary outcomes.
Results
From baseline to 3 months, the median change from baseline in distance covered during the 6‐minute walk test in the intervention group (49 m) was double that of the control group (22 m), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .13). Likewise, the WOMAC physical function subscale score median changes in the intervention group (5 points) were double that of the controls (2 points), although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .06). Median change in pain scores was slightly reduced in each group but not significantly different between groups (P = .53).
Conclusion
Although no statistically significant between‐group differences were found in this pilot RCT, improvements were seen in measures of physical function compared to controls. A larger RCT of this structured exercise program may be warranted.
However, diabetes/hyperglycemia and/or dyslipemia artes were not different between groups. Metabolic syndrome was also significantly more prevalent among patients with KOA (Table). When analyzing the history of complications of cardiovascular disease such as ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular complications, patients with KOA also showed a significantly higher rate as compared with the control group (16/184 (61.5%) vs. 9/254 (3.5%), p <0.05).
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