The effect of open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain exercises on dynamic balance and health status in elderly patients with osteoarthritis

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the elderly, characterized by pain, stiffness, and decreased joint function, all of which negatively affect quality of life. Objective: To examine the effect of CKC and OKC exercises on dynamic balance and health status among elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest two-group approach. The sample consisted of 30 elderly individuals aged ≥60 years with a medical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, selected using purposive sampling. Respondents were divided into two groups: 15 participants performed CKC exercises and 15 participants performed OKC exercises for two weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess health status, and the Time Up and Go Test (TUG) was used to assess dynamic balance. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests with SPSS software. Results: There was a significant reduction in WOMAC scores in both the CKC group (38.47 ± 8.16 to 32.60 ± 9.43; p < 0.001) and the OKC group (37.53 ± 7.97 to 34.40 ± 8.40; p < 0.001). TUG performance also improved significantly in the CKC group (12.80 ± 1.08 to 11.20 ± 1.47; p < 0.001) and the OKC group (12.80 ± 1.21 to 11.27 ± 1.28; p < 0.001). Overall, improvements in health status were greater in the CKC group compared to the OKC group. Conclusion: Both CKC and OKC exercises are effective in improving dynamic balance and health status among elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. CKC exercises tend to provide greater benefits in overall functional improvement.