Research Article Open Access Volume 1 • Issue 1 • 1000104 Occup Med Health Aff ISSN: OMHA an open access journal Open Access Research Article Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs Gbiri et al., Occup Med Health Aff 2013, 1:1 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/omha.1000104 *Corresponding author: Caleb AdemolaGbiri, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria, Tel: +2348185434054, +2348033598072; E-mail: cgbiri@unilag.edu.ng, calebgbiri@yahoo.com Received January 27, 2013; Accepted February 23, 2013; Published February 25, 2013 Citation: Gbiri CA, Okafor UAC, Alade MT (2013) Comparative Eficacy of Open- chain and Close-chain Kinematics on Proprioception, Muscles’ Strength and Functional Performances in Individual with Knee Osteoarthritis. Occup Med Health Aff 1: 104. doi:10.4172/omha.1000104 Copyright: © 2013 Gbiri CA, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Comparative Efficacy of Open-chain and Close-chain Kinematics on Proprioception, Muscles’ Strength and Functional Performances in Individual with Knee Osteoarthritis Caleb AdemolaGbiri*, Udoka A Chris Okafor and MichealTaiwoAlade Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Knee; Kinesthesis; Proprioception; Exercise Introduction he great increase in the elderly population worldwide is the most important change in the ield of public health in the 21 st century. It has being estimated that the number of people over the age of 65 years will be doubled in the irst two decades in the 21 st century [1]. Consequently, osteoarthritis (OA) and other diseases that are associated with old age will become much more important both medically and economically, posing great demand on the health facilities and caregiver’s resources. Osteoarthritis is the most commonly encountered disease of the musculoskeletal system [2]. Symptoms and disability in individuals with osteoarthritis increase in prevalence with increasing age [3] and they use health-care services at a higher rate than individuals with other chronic diseases [4]. he number of people with OA disability is expected to double by the year 2020 [5], thereby increasing its already signiicant economic burden. he physical disability arising from knee OA prevents the performance of daily life activities and negatively afects the life quality [2]. Several factors play roles in the occurrence of physical disability in osteoarthritis patient. hese include pain, restriction in joint range of movement, muscle weakness, and coordination impairment [6]. he coexistence of knee OA and weakness of the quadriceps muscle groups are well known [7]. Muscle strength measurements are important in the follow-up of outcome of the treatment and the quality of life in individuals with OA [8]. he efect of OA on proprioception has also been established. Decreased proprioception results in predisposition to development of osteoarthritis due to abnormal position of the joint and contributes to functional insuiciency by afecting functional parameters such as decreased walking speed, shortened step and decreased total walking time [9]. However, there is still a big cloud on how to improve proprioception in these individual. here is signiicant loss of proprioception and kinesthesia sensation in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee joint [2,8]. Impaired proprioception adds to functional insuiciency by generating impairment in walking rhythm, shortening step distance, and a decrease in walking speed and total walking time [6]. herefore, eforts have been directed towards increasing proprioception in individuals with knee osteoarthritis but the best method of achieving this is still elusive. herefore this study investigated the comparative efects of close-chain exercises (combined kinaesthesia and balance training) and open-chain exercises (muscle strengthening) on knee proprioception and thigh muscle strength in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee. Methods Prior to the commencement of the study, ethical approval was obtained from a Research and Ethical Committee. All study participants were informed about the procedure of the study and written informed consent was obtained from each patient. he exercise training was carried out in the physiotherapy out-patient department of two tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into two groups (close-chain and open-chain exercises groups) using the one-to-one randomization method by allocating one patient to the study group and the other patient to the control group one by one according to their order in the hospital register. he Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used in the assessment of the patients before and ater 8 weeks of exercise programme. Isokinetic muscle strength of the quadriceps Abstract This study was designed to compare effects of open-chain and close-chain kinetics on proprioception, muscles’ strength and functionality on individual with knee osteoarthritis. Eight-week experimental study was conducted on twenty-ive participants. Participants were randomized into two groups. The irst group was involved in close-chain exercises (kinesthesia and balance exercises). The second group was involved in open-chain exercises in form strengthening exercises. Their knee proprioception, functional performances, severity of osteoarthritis, muscles’ strength and pain were assessed pre-exercise and post-exercise intervention. Twenty-ive participants completed this study giving 16.67% attrition rate. Their mean age was 62.7 ± 8.5 years. The close-chain group showed signiicantly better improvement than the open-chain group in physical function, energy, role limitation, pain and severity of osteoarthritis. The close-chain group performed signiicantly better in all performances and proprioception after interventions. It was concluded that close-chain kinematics is more effective in improving proprioception functional performances in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.