KAATSU Training to Enhance Physical Function of Older Adults With Osteoarthritis

Inclusion criteria

• Age 60 years and older
• Radiographic evidence of osteophytes
• Moderate to severe pain score (41-90 mm) recorded on 100-mm visual analog scale after 50-ft walk
• Bilateral standing anterior-posterior radiograph demonstrating Kellgren and Lawrence grade 2 or 3
• OA of the target knee
• Score ≤ 10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery, as an indicator of physical limitation
• Sedentary lifestyle, defined as <150 min/wk of moderate physical activity as assessed by CHAMPS questionnaire
• Willingness to participate in all study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Failure to provide informed consent;
• Regular participation in resistance exercise training within the past 3 months
• Current involvement in supervised rehabilitation program
• Absolute contraindication(s) to exercise training according to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
• Diagnosed peripheral vascular disease
• Ankle-brachial index < 0.95
• Resting office systolic blood pressure > 160 mm Hg or < 100 mm Hg
• Diastolic blood pressure > 100 mm Hg
• History or family history of thrombosis
• Resistant hypertension, defined by BP > 140/90 despite use of 3 or more antihypertensive medications
• Severe cardiac disease, including New York Heart Association Class III or IV congestive heart failure, clinically significant aortic stenosis, history of cardiac arrest or stroke, use of a cardiac defibrillator, or uncontrolled angina
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Known peripheral neuropathy
• History of rheumatoid arthritis
• Lower limb amputation
• Lives in a nursing home; (persons living in assisted or independent housing will not be excluded)
• Significant cognitive impairment, defined as a known diagnosis of dementia or a Mini-Mental State Examination exam score < 24
• Unable to communicate because of severe hearing loss or speech disorder;
• Severe visual impairment, which would preclude completion of the assessments and/or intervention
• Other significant co-morbid disease that would impair ability to participate in the exercise intervention
• Lives outside of the study site or is planning to move out of the area during the study timeframe
• Simultaneous participation in another intervention trial