Effect of Neuromuscular Training with Rigid Tape Versus Strength Training on Functional Performance of Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee involving predom-inantly the medial tibiofemoral compartment is common in older people, giving rise to pain and loss of function, Neu-romuscular exercises are typically performed in functional weight-bearing positions emphasizing quality and efficiency of movement, as well as Rigid taping (RT) is an effi-cient way of treatment of pain relief.
Purpose: This study was conducted to detect the effect of neuromuscular training with Rigid taping versus strength training on functional mobility in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.
Methods: This study was conducted on thirty patients both gender with mild to moderate OA of medial compartment knee OA . Their age ranged from 45-55 years old. All patients were referred by orthopedic surgeons who are responsible for diagnosis based on clinical and radiological examination. They were randomly assigned into two groups Group (A) received strength training exercises and Group (B) received neuromuscular exercises with rigid tape for three sessions per week for one month. The study was conducted from September 2016 to May 2017 at the department of physical therapy at Abo Keir Hospital, Alexandria, at the out clinic at pharous university and a Private hospital at Alexandria.
Methods of Evaluation: Thirty seconds chair stand test (30-CST) test for the assessment of functional performance,
Results: Showed that both strength training (group A) and neuromuscular exercises with rigid tape (group B) were effective in improvement of functional performance, but strength training (Group A) were less effective than neuromus-cular exercises with rigid tape.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that both strength training and neuromuscular exercises with rigid tape are effective treatment for medial compartment knee OA in terms of func-tional performance.