The Effects of an Interdisciplinary Self-Management Program on Knee Function and Falls in Older Adults with Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis and Mild Balance Impairment in Mueang District, Uttaradit Province
Keywords:
Interdisciplinary Self-management Program, Knee Function, Falls, Older Adults with Knee OsteoarthritisAbstract
This randomized controlled trial aimed to examine the effects of an interdisciplinary self- management program on knee function and falls among older adults with early-stage knee osteoarthritis and mild balance impairment in Uttaradit Province of Thailand. The participants were 84 older adults aged 60 – 80 years, randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group, with 42 participants in each group. The intervention lasted 20 weeks. The experimental group received an interdisciplinary self-management program based on the model of Lorig & Holman, while the control group received standard health education and exercise. Outcomes assessed included knee pain, knee function, self-management behaviors, balance, fear of falling, and fall prevention behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, independent t-test, and two-way repeated measures ANOVA, with a significance level set at .05. The results showed as follows.
1. After 8 weeks of intervention and at the 20-week follow-up, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in mean scores for knee pain and knee function limitations (p-value < .05), and a statistically significant increase in mean scores for self-management behaviors, balance, fear of falling, and fall prevention behaviors (p-value < .05).
2. Compared to the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in all measured outcomes, including reductions in knee pain and knee function limitations, and increases in self-management behaviors, balance, fear of falling, and fall prevention behaviors, at both post-intervention and follow-up periods (p-value < .05).
The findings suggest that this new interdisciplinary self-management program is an effective approach to improving knee function and reducing fall risk among older adults with early-stage knee osteoarthritis in the community.
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