Comparison of the Effects of Basic Body Awareness Therapy to Conventional Physiotherapy and Home Exercise Program in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

Muscle Strength / Hand-held dinamometer - Lafayette Instrument®, Lafayette, IN

时间窗: 8 weeks

Lower extremity muscle strength will be evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument®, Lafayette, IN) via maximal voluntary isometric contraction (the "make" test) and recorded in kilograms/Newtons. The assessment will include the muscle strength of hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation; knee flexion and extension; and ankle plantar/dorsi flexion. Participants will be given the command: 'Hold as strongly as possible without moving your leg.' For each movement, three measurements will be performed (5-second contraction, 30-second rest), and the average values of these measurements will be calculated.

Balance - Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale (FAB-T)

时间窗: 8 weeks

The scale evaluates both static and dynamic balance under altered sensory conditions (soft surface, firm surface, decreased or increased support base, and verbal commands). It is specifically designed to measure balance in high-functioning, active older adults. The scale consists of 10 items, each scored between 0 and 4. A total score of 25 or below indicates a high risk of falling.

Pain Severity - The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Pain severity over the past 24 hours (at its worst, at its best, and at rest) will be assessed via the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 represents 'no pain' and 10 represents 'the worst imaginable pain.

Active Joint Position Sense (AJPS)

时间窗: 8 weeks

AJPS will be evaluated via photo-analysis using MATLAB and an iPhone 13 (50 cm distance, tripod, laser alignment). Anatomical markers (2x2 cm kinesio-tape) will be placed on the greater trochanter, lateral knee joint line, superior patella, fibular neck, and lateral malleolus. Participants in the supine position, with hips neutral and eyes masked, will actively reproduce target knee flexion angles (40°, 60°, 90°). Reference and reproduced positions will be photographed; the angular difference will be recorded as the error angle. After practice trials, measurements will be captured during a 4-second static phase. Three trials per angle will be performed in randomized order with 10-second intervals, and averages will be calculated. To prevent fatigue and angular memory bias, 1-minute rest periods will be provided. All measurements will be standardized by an experienced physiotherapist.

Knee Function (KOOS)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): Developed to assess knee injury and OA symptoms. It includes 42 items in 5 subscales: Pain, Symptoms, ADL, Sport/Rec, and QoL. Items are scored on a 0-4 Likert scale based on the past week. Each subscale is normalized to a 0-100 range.

Physical Mobility - TUG Test

时间窗: 8 weeks

Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test: TUG assesses independent mobility and functional ability. Participants rise from a chair, walk 3 meters at a safe pace, turn, walk back, and sit down. The duration is recorded in seconds. Results are interpreted as follows: ≤10 seconds indicates good balance and gait speed; 10-20 seconds indicates independence in outdoor mobility without aids; ≥20 seconds signifies impaired mobility, poor balance, and increased fall risk. The test provides a reliable measure of dynamic balance and functional performance in clinical populations. All procedures will be timed using a digital stopwatch and recorded.

Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT)/ (JTECH Medical-Algometer Commander, USA)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Measurements will be performed while the participant is in the supine and prone positions using a pressure algometer. In the supine position, measurements will be taken from the distal 1/3 of the iliopsoas muscle, the proximal and distal (suprapatellar) portions of the rectus femoris muscle, the infrapatellar tendon, the medial and lateral fat pads, the distal 1/3 of the iliotibial band, the adductor tendons, and the medial retinaculum. In the prone position, measurements will be obtained from the sacroiliac joint, the muscle bellies of the gluteus medius and piriformis, the proximal 1/3 of the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius, and the popliteus muscle belly. The probe of the algometer will be applied perpendicularly to the designated area, and the pressure will be increased gradually at a rate of 1 kg/s. The value at which the mechanical stimulus first transitions into a sensation of pain will be recorded. Three measurements will be taken at 30-second intervals.

The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS): A 13-item self-report tool used to measure exaggerated negative thoughts about actual or anticipated pain. It assesses three dimensions: Rumination (items 8-11), Magnification (items 6, 7, 13), and Helplessness (items 1-5, 12). Rumination reflects preoccupation with pain, helplessness denotes an inability to cope, and magnification represents an intensified perception of pain threat. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 4=all the time). Total scores range from 0 to 52, where higher scores indicate greater catastrophizing. A total score of ≥30 is identified as the clinical cutoff point for significant pain catastrophizing. This scale is vital for evaluating the psychological impact of pain and its influence on recovery and movement-related fear in clinical research and rehabilitation settings.

Knee Function (LYSHOLM)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale: Revised in 1985, it assesses 8 domains: limp, support, locking, instability, pain, swelling, stair climbing, and squatting. Total score (0-100) is categorized as Excellent (95-100), Good (84-94), Fair (65-83), or Poor (0-64).

Knee Function (WOMAC)

时间窗: 8 weeks

Western Ontario \& McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC): A valid index for OA, recommended by OMERACT. It comprises 24 items across 3 sections: Pain (max 20), Stiffness (max 8), and Physical Function (max 68). Higher scores indicate increased pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. All scales will be administered by a physiotherapist to evaluate functional status and quality of life.