Compliance to home-based exercise therapy in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the compliance to home-based exercise regimen by elderly patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients and methods: Between May 2012 and May 2013 year, a total of 72 patients (54 females, 18 males) over 65 years old with knee osteoarthritis admitted to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic were included in the study. The patients were given a home-based exercise program. They were recommended to perform the exercises 10 times twice a day, for a month. We evaluated the patients’ demographic data, comorbid diseases, whether they exercised previously and compliance to exercise. Results: All patients’ home exercise program compliance was 62.5%. Males were more compliant than female patients and high education and comorbidity were also associated with poor compliance. Conclusion: The compliance of the geriatric patients to home-based exercise program is difficult and multiple variables affect the compliance.