Effectiveness of Combining Intermittent Hypoxia-Hyperoxia and Conventional Physical Therapy for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (IHHT) with conventional physical therapy in improving pain, function, gait, balance, and general health among patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study will be conducted at the Physical Therapy Department of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan, over a period of one year.
• Participants aged 45 and above.
• Participants (both male and female) with knee pain for 3 months or more with any three of the following six items: age of 50 years or more, crepitations, enlarged bone, no palpable warmth, morning stiffness for less than 30 minutes, and bony tenderness.
• Patients who can walk and have a minimum score of 4 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale.
• Participants who have intact cognition with a score of 24 and above on Mini Mini- Mental State examination.
• Participants able to walk independently for at least 45 meters in the 6-minute walk test.
• Participants having a recent X-ray (done within the past 3 months).