Effect of Nordic Walking and Inspiratory Muscle Training to Promote Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of Nordic walking and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on cardiopulmonary function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Mild-to-moderate knee OA patients are randomly allocated into Experimental group (Nordic walking plus routine management) or Control group (Routine management). While End-stage knee OA patients are randomly allocated into Experimental group (IMT plus pre-operative rehabilitation exercise) or Control group (Pre-operative rehabilitation exercise). Participants are invited to undergo two assessments, including baseline assessment, post-intervention assessment. Researchers will compare two groups to see if the cardiopulmonary function can be improved after intervention.
• pain on the most days in one or both knees in the past month;
• difficulty with at least one of daily living activities measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scale;
• radiographic evidence of knee OA in the tibial-femoral compartment (Kellgren and Lawrence grade, K/L ≥1, K/L 1-3 regarded as mild-to-moderate knee OA, others waiting for knee arthroplasty regarded as end-stage knee OA);
• with normal or corrected visual and auditory function and walking unaided;
• primary knee OA for more than 6 months, be stable on medication for at least 3 weeks.