EFFECT OF FLAMINGO EXERCISES ON BALANCE IN PATIENTS WITH BALANCE IMPAIRMENT DUE TO SENILE OSTEOARTHRITIS.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of flamingo exercise with or without KAT 2000 device on the balance problems due to senile OA.

PARTICIPANTS: Ninety elderly osteoarthritic patients with balance impairment.

INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly assigned into three groups; Kinesthetic ability trainer (KAT 2000) training group (Group 1) (n = 30), Flamingo training group (Group 2) (n = 30), Combined training group (Group 3) (n = 30) group. 45 minutes individualized training sessions as three times a week for 4 weeks were given to all participants.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were evaluated with Berg balance scale (BBS), kinesthetic ability trainer (KAT 2000) static and dynamic scores, timed up and go test (TUGT), walking speed (WS), Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and Functional Reach Test (FRT) at the baseline and at the end of 4 weeks.

RESULTS: At the end of the therapy, there were statistically significant improvements in KAT 2000 static and dynamic scores, TUGT scores, WS and ABC Scale in all groups (p < 0.05). At the end of the therapy there were statistically significant differences in Group 3 for KAT 2000 static and dynamic scores, TUGT scores, WS and ABC Scale than the other groups (p < 0.05). But there were no statistical difference in BBS and FRT score between the groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Both flamingo and KAT2000 exercises device have positive effects on the balance problems due to senile OA. Combined with the KAT2000 device, the effects of flamingo exercises on balance disorder in senile osteoarthritis patients are more pronounced.