Effects of Balance and Muscle Strength in Knee Osteoarthritis

April 23, 2026 updated by: Kübra Alpay, Bezmialem Vakif University

Effects of Balance and Muscle Strength on Functional Capacity in Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and progressive joint disease characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage, subchondral bone sclerosis, and the formation of osteophytes. This condition leads to joint pain and stiffness, negatively affecting individuals' quality of life. Joint stiffness, decreased quadriceps strength, and impaired proprioceptive sensation result in functional limitations. Due to these symptoms, individuals experience difficulties in performing daily activities such as rising from a chair, walking, and climbing stairs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of balance, and muscle strength on functional capacity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

In knee OA, structural changes in the cartilage and the formation of peripheral osteophytes contribute to joint stiffness and a reduction in the range of motion, which adversely affects physical function, particularly in older adults. Activities such as stair climbing, sitting and standing, and walking require the contribution of core muscles as well as lower extremity muscles, particularly the knee extensors. In knee OA, there is a reported decrease in lower extremity muscle strength, especially in the quadriceps femoris muscle, which further impairs functional activities in the advanced stages of the disease.

Arthritic damage to joint mechanoreceptors in osteoarthritis leads to a decline in motor control and proprioceptive sensitivity. These sensorimotor deficits result in decreased stability and impaired balance function. Additionally, reduced muscle strength can hinder neuromuscular control, leading to postural instability and an increased risk of falls, especially in older patients.

Identifying the factors that contribute to the decline in functional capacity is crucial for planning appropriate exercise programs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of balance, and muscle strength on functional capacity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

64

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Eyup
      • Istanbul, Eyup, Turkey (Türkiye)
        • Bezmialem Vakif University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients who have diagnosed primary knee osteoarthritis will be included

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Primary knee osteoarthritis

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Previous surgery in the lower extremity
  • Neuromuscular disease
  • Vestibular pathology
  • Physiotherapy intervention or intra-articular injection within the last 6 months

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Balance
Time Frame: Baseline
Biodex Balance System will be used for postural stability evaluation. Lower scores indicate better stability and higher scores mean poor balance.
Baseline
6-minute walk test
Time Frame: Baseline
Walking distance will be measured
Baseline
Stair climb test
Time Frame: Baseline
Test completion time will be evaluated
Baseline
Muscle strength
Time Frame: Baseline
Muscles strength measurement with 5 time sit-to-stand test
Baseline
Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Time Frame: Baseline
Function subscale consisting of 17 items will be used for evaluation. Higher scores indicate greater functional limitation.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Bezmialem Vakif University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Kubra Alpay, PhD, Bezmialem Vakif University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

August 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 28, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

March 13, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 14, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 14, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

July 15, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 28, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 23, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • KA25-1

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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