An 8-Week Neuromuscular Exercise Program for Patients With Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Series Drawn From a Registered Clinical Trial

Objective:  To describe the feasibility of a neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) program in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Background:  Neuromuscular exercise has been increasingly used in patients with osteoarthritis to achieve sensorimotor control and improved daily function. Treatment:  A study of the first 23 physically active patients (11 men, 12 women; age range = 48–70 years) who had mild to moderate KOA and were undergoing an 8-week, twice-weekly program, consisting of 11 exercises with 3 to 4 levels of difficulty, as part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. The level of difficulty was noted for each exercise and session. We recorded exertion, pain, adverse events, and adherence. For the 18 patients who participated in 6 or more sessions, a progression of at least 1 level of difficulty (out of 3–4) was observed in half or more of the exercises. However, few patients progressed to jumping activities. Exertion ranged from light to very heavy. Four patients reported a cli...