Exercícios de vibração de corpo inteiro podem beneficiar indivíduos com osteoartrite do joelho com relação à dor e a capacidade funcional de membros inferiores

Abstract

The treatment of the knee osteoarthritis (KOA) requires a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, including surgical actions, when necessary. The treatment should reduce pain, and improve overall functionality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) in the management of OAJ. This study was approved to Ethics Committee (CAAE 19826413.8.0000.5259), Twenty-six individuals with KOA (control group - crossover - vibration group) performed two weekly sessions of EVCI (peak to peak displacement: 2.5 to 7.5 mm, frequency: 5 to 14 Hz, aPeak: 0.12 to 2.95 g) for five weeks. The muscle performance was evaluated with the 5-chair test (5CST) and handgrip strength (digital dynamometry), and pain level by visual analogue scale (VAS). Significant differences were found in the group submitted to WBVE in 5CST (p = 0.0312; r = 0.4) and in pain level (p = 0.0414; r = 0.3). No differences were found regarding handgrip strength. WBVE would be responsible for physiological responses that would decrease pain level and increase functional performance in subjects with KOA, without impairing upper limb strength.