An Exploratory Study of Aquatic Walking on Symptoms and Functional Limitations in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1

Authors

John M. Coons, Middle Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Brandon Grubbs, Middle Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Vaughn W. Barry, Middle Tennessee State UniversityFollow
Ryan T. Conners, University of Alabama at HunstvilleFollow
Sandra Stevens, Middle Tennessee State UniversityFollow

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.14.01.04

Disciplines

Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science | Health and Physical Education | Kinesiology | Leisure Studies | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy | Outdoor Education | Public Health | Sports Management | Sports Sciences | Sports Studies | Tourism and Travel

Abstract

This paper represents Part 1 of a study that explored the effects of an underwater treadmill (UT) walking program on pain and function in adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS), timed up-and-go (TUG), and 10-m walk were assessed in 6 adults (62.7 ±14.2 years) who participated in an 8-week (3x/wk) UT walking intervention based on the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease (WWE) program. Walking pace was self-selected, and walking duration of each session was increased from 10 to 45 minutes throughout the study. Knee pain and function were assessed pre-control (PRC), pre-intervention (PRI) and post-intervention (PST). NRS improved from PRC and PRI to PST (p = .03, d = .37). WOMAC subscale scores of pain, (d = .36); stiffness (d = .44); pain during daily activities (d = .41); and total scores (d = .42) improved (p < .05) from PRC to PST. Self-selected walking speed increased concurrently with decreased knee pain (NRS) from PRI to PST. The results support the WWE as a model for an UT walking program for improving knee pain in KOA.

Recommended Citation

Coons, John M.; Grubbs, Brandon; Barry, Vaughn W.; Conners, Ryan T.; and Stevens, Sandra (2023) "An Exploratory Study of Aquatic Walking on Symptoms and Functional Limitations in Persons with Knee Osteoarthritis: Part 1," International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education: Vol. 14: No. 1, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25035/ijare.14.01.04
Available at: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijare/vol14/iss1/4