Effect of Reverse Treadmill Walking and Low Intensity Cycle Ergometry in Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis Subjects-Comparative Study

Background Osteoarthritisis a progressive disorder of the joints caused by gradual loss of cartilage resulting in the development of bony spurs and cysts at the margin of the joints. The present study was conducted to find out effect of reverse treadmill walking and low intensity cycle ergometry in chronic knee osteoarthritis subjects. Method An Experimental study was conducted at Krishna College of Physiotherapy, Karad.20 subjects with age group between 40-70 years were taken. A total of 20 subjects were selected and were equally divided in to two groups. Both the Groups received short wave diathermy while Group A received reverse treadmill walking, and Group B received low intensity cycle ergometry. Results Analysis using pairst test and wilcoxon matched pairs test found statistically significant improvement (p=0.0020) in pain and functional disability within the groups. Comparative Analysis using Unpaired T test found no statistically significant difference in improving pain& functional disability in both the techniques. However reverse treadmill walking group found significantly greater improvement in exercise tolerance and endurance compared with low intensity cycle ergometry. Conclusion Present study concluded that both the techniques shown to have equal effect on improving pain and functional disability. However reverse treadmill walking is effective in improving exercise tolerance and endurance than low intensity cycle ergometry.