Authors (including presenting author) :
Kwan IYF(1), Chan SKM(1), Lee WWY(1), Lam PL(1)(2), Chan GNY(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Physiotherapy Department, David Trench Rehabilitation Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, (2)Physiotherapy Department, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
Introduction :
Twenty percent of the populations worldwide are affected by knee osteoarthritis. However, elderly may find difficulties in training due to lack of knowledge to access of space and exercise equipment in the community. The Physiotherapy Department of David Trench Rehabilitation Centre (DTRC), Queen Mary hospital designed an exercise map displaying available public resources to facilitate community rehabilitation.
Objectives :
To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise map to knee osteoarthritis patients in a community-based exercise program.
Methodology :
From May to June 2019, public exercise facilities in Hong Kong Central-Western District and Southern District were identified. Gymnasium, swimming pool and park with aerobic, resistance and flexibility training were summarized and located on a map. QR code was created for each area. Details such as address, transport and type of equipment, could be accessed by scanning the related QR code.
The map was put on a trial run among patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Participants attended a total of 6 sessions included self-management technique, peer sharing and group exercise in DTRC.
Feedbacks about the exercise map were collected using Chinese Self-efficacy for Exercise (SEE-C) and patient satisfaction questionnaire. Numerous Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and 30-second sit-to-stand test were also used for evaluation. Telephone follow-up was arranged 1-month after completion of program.
Result & Outcome :
Total of 8 sports centres, 5 swimming pools and 35 parks were located in Central-Western District and Southern District. 74 patients joined the program, in which 56 participants completed from July to October in 2019. Average SEE-C score and patient satisfaction score was 62% (p< 0.05) and 79% respectively. NPRS, KOOS and 30-second sit-to-stand test all showed significant improvement (p< 0.05). Furthermore, all patients had good exercise compliance outside clinical setting and 90% of them reported further improvement on knee conditions in 1-month telephone follow-up.
An user friendly exercise map for a 6-week community-based exercise program demonstrated enhancement in exercise compliance and functional level of patients with knee osteoarthritis. For further exploration, exercise map could be introduced to patients with other physical conditions.
