The Effectiveness of Low Frequency Comprehensive Physiotherapy Combined With Home Exercise on Joint Health, Frequency of Hemartrosis, Dynamic Balance and Reaction Time in Hemophilic Arthropthy

The positive effects of physiotherapy and exercise on joint health, frequency of hemartrosis (FoH) in patient with hemophilic arhropathy (PwHA) are well explained in the literature. However, adaptation problems to physiotherapy sessions (usually 3 times a week) may cause PwHA to ignore the need for therapy. It may be more beneficial for PwHA to adapt physiotherapy and exercise into daily live.

Aim: To investigate the effect of a once-a-week physiotherapy combined with home exercises on joint health, FoH, muscle strength, pain, reaction time and dynamic balance.

Methods: 20 patients have hemophilic arthropathy in knee and/or ankle were randomly divided into 2 groups, named home exercise (HE) and comprehensive physiotherapy combined with home exercise (CPcwHE). In the clinical assessment, HJHS, manuel muscle tester, Fitlight® system for reaction time, functional reach test for dynamic balance were used and questioned the number of bleedings in the last 6 weeks for FoH. The CP group received comprehensive physiotherapy (manual therapy, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and exercises) 1 day a week, and did the exercises at home the other 2 days a week. The HE group performed the exercises given to CP at home 3 times a week. Evaluations were repeated at the end of 6 weeks.