Effects of Feldenkrais Exercises in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent rheumatic diseases in the elderly, being a frequent cause of incapacity among this population. It is more common in the knee and is characterized by pain, stiffness, and function loss. OA is a major public health problem. The prevalence of knee OA is 34-45% in the Indian population with clinical symptoms of pain, reduced muscle strength, and knee function. That is the most common form of degenerative joint disease affecting 15 to 40% of people aged 40 and above. One hundred fifty-one million people worldwide experienced OA, and it was ranked sixth as a leading cause of moderate and severe disability. The knee is the joint most frequently affected by osteoarthritis. The Feldenkrais Method has the potential to help older people with OA. Developed by Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais, the method is a gentle form of exercise which has been shown to be acceptable for older people who have limited movement. The Feldenkrais Method is taught in two parallel forms, Awareness Through Movement (conducted as a group exercise) and Functional Integration (one-on one approach). This study explores the effectiveness of Awareness Through Movement lessons in helping older people with OA. The method aims for improved functioning, where the entire body cooperates efficiently with minimal effort. This study aims to explore the potential benefits of Feldenkrais exercises as an alternative, non-invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Medical conventional treatments for knee OA, such as pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions, often come with limitations including potential side effects, high costs, and sometimes limited long-term effectiveness. These constraints necessitate the exploration of alternative, non-invasive treatment options that can be both effective and accessible. Feldenkrais exercises focus on improving movement patterns and body awareness, which may help reduce pain, enhance range of motion, and decrease disability.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 40 to 60 years of patients.
• Both female and male
• Able to walk for 6 minutes (Timed up-and-go test)
• Able to rise from floor
• Grade 2 and 3 of osteoarthritis diagnosed with radiograph (Kellgren and Lawrence classification system)
• Pain reported on VAS score ˃6/10 in knee region for more than 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• • Tuberculosis, carcinoma, heart disease, and osteoporosis

• Any trauma or localized infection in the knee joint
• Hyper flexibility
• Open sores
• Ongoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, steroid therapy, or anticoagulants
• Psychiatric diseases such as phobia/obsession and depression
• Allergy to hot pack
• Patients with a history of surgery in the knee region within a year.
• Severe cognitive impairments
• Contraindications to physical activity
• Concurrent participation in other physical therapy programs