The effectiveness of balance and core stabilization training along with conventional therapy on Osteoarthritis knee during eyes open versus eyes closed to improve quality of life

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis of the knee (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease that impairs quality of life, causes
discomfort, and limits mobility, especially in older persons. While range-of-motion and strengthening exercises are common
components of conventional physiotherapy, they could not adequately treat proprioceptive deficits and balance impairments.
Functional results may be improved by core stabilization and balance training, especially when done in different sensory
situations (eyes open vs. closed).
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of core stabilization and balance training in conjunction with
traditional physiotherapy on knee OA patients' pain, functional mobility, balance, and quality of life in both eyes-open and eyes-
closed circumstances.
Methods: Thirty-six knee OA patients (aged 40–65) were divided into two groups at random: Group A (n = 18) received
conventional therapy along with balance and core stabilization exercises performed with their eyes open, and Group B (n = 18)
received the same exercises with their eyes closed. For six weeks, the interventions were given three days a week for forty-five
minutes each. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS),
the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were among the outcome
measures that were evaluated at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks. Independent t-tests were used for between-group
comparisons and one-way ANOVA for within-group comparisons.
Results: The NPRS, WOMAC, BBS, and WHOQOL-BREF ratings of both groups improved significantly (p<0.05) over the
course of six weeks. Group B (eyes closed) outperformed Group A (eyes open) in pain reduction (NPRS), functional ability
(WOMAC), balance (BBS), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) by a considerable margin (p<0.05), indicating that eyes-
closed training improves proprioceptive and functional abilities.
Conclusion: Patients with knee OA see significant improvements in pain, function, balance, and quality of life when core
stabilization and balance training are combined with traditional physiotherapy. Due to increased proprioceptive demand, eyes-
closed training seems to produce better results, which supports its use in knee OA rehabilitation protocols.
Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, core stabilization, balance training, eyes open, eyes closed, quality of life.