Bilateral Knee Strength Asymmetry and Functional Performance in Older Women With Osteoarthritis

NCT ID: NCT07261540

Last Updated: 2025-12-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 20 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-04-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-06-01

Brief Summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the knees and becomes more prevalent with age. In individuals over 50, particularly those with bilateral knee osteoarthritis, it leads to chronic pain, limited mobility, and functional decline. This condition worsens due to muscle strength imbalances, especially in the quadriceps and hamstrings. These imbalances are triggered by pain, joint instability, and cartilage damage, which negatively impact muscle strength and coordination. In women, these asymmetries are more pronounced, increasing the risk of functional decline.

Recent studies highlight the significant role of strength asymmetry in functional limitations, affecting balance, gait, and daily activities. This study aims to investigate the impact of bilateral quadriceps and hamstring strength asymmetries on dynamic balance, gait efficiency, and functional mobility in older women with bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The study aims to examine the effects of bilateral strength asymmetries in the knee extensors and flexors on dynamic balance, gait efficiency, and overall mobility in older women with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. We hypothesize that greater strength asymmetry will be associated with impaired dynamic balance, reduced gait efficiency, and decreased functional mobility.

Detailed Description

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that commonly affects the knee, especially in individuals over 50. It leads to pain, reduced mobility, and functional decline. In bilateral knee OA, muscle imbalances, especially in the quadriceps and hamstrings, worsen functional limitations and increase the risk of falls. These imbalances are caused by pain, joint instability, and cartilage damage, affecting muscle strength and coordination. In older women, these issues are more pronounced, increasing their risk of functional decline compared to men.

Emerging research highlights the role of muscle strength asymmetry (differences between the left and right leg) in functional difficulties, such as poor balance, walking issues, and difficulty with daily tasks. This study aims to explore how these muscle imbalances in knee extensors and flexors impact overall functional abilities, such as balance and walking efficiency in women with bilateral knee OA.

The study seeks to examine how bilateral strength asymmetry in the knee muscles affects dynamic balance, gait efficiency, and mobility in older women with knee osteoarthritis. The hypothesis is that greater muscle imbalance will lead to worse balance, slower walking, and reduced mobility.

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthristis; Postmenopausal Women; Functional Performance; Isokinetic Test; Muscle Strenght

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_ONLY
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

Study Group

Patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis who met the inclusion criteria underwent a single laboratory assessment involving isokinetic strength testing, pain evaluation, dynamic balance assessment, and functional mobility tests. Isokinetic strength testing was performed on both knees of the patients.All assessments took 1 hour in total for each patient.

Isokinetic Strength Testing

Intervention Type: OTHER

Bilateral knee strength asymmetry was assessed using a Biodex System 4 Pro isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, USA). Participants were securely positioned, and knee extensor and flexor strength were measured at angular velocities of 120°/s and 180°/s. Each participant performed five maximal concentric contractions per limb, with the highest peak torque values recorded.

Interventions

Isokinetic Strength Testing

Bilateral knee strength asymmetry was assessed using a Biodex System 4 Pro isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, USA). Participants were securely positioned, and knee extensor and flexor strength were measured at angular velocities of 120°/s and 180°/s. Each participant performed five maximal concentric contractions per limb, with the highest peak torque values recorded.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

Pain Assessment; Dynamic Balance Measurement; Functional Mobility; Gait Speed

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• women gender
• aged 50 years or older
• diagnosed with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III),
• capable of independent walking without assistive devices.

Exclusion Criteria

• severe knee osteoarthritis requiring total knee arthroplasty
• neurological conditions affecting gait or balance
• severe musculoskeletal disorders
• uncontrolled systemic diseases
• cognitive impairments (Mini-Mental State Examination < 24)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 50 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Kocaeli Sağlık ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Sena Çınarlı

Asisstant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Sema Aktürk, MD Professor

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Inonu University

Locations

Kocaeli Health and Technology University

Kocaeli, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

KOSTU-25-OA-02

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id