OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a sensorimotor training programme in osteoarthritic patients. DESIGN: Randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. SETTING: Kinesiology laboratory at School of Physical Therapy. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 60 patients were randomly assigned to the training group and the control group. Only 29 patients (training group, 15; control group, 14) completed the study. INTERVENTION: The training group underwent a sensorimotor training programme using a sling suspension system complemented by a routine physical therapy. The control group underwent a routine physical therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Active joint repositioning, functional testings, and self-reported function with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index before and after the eight-week intervention. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups with respect to the improvement in proprioception as measured by active joint repositioning (the changes in the absolute error were 1.9 +/- 1.7 degrees, training group versus 0.1 +/- 2.8 degrees, control group (p < 0.05), and in self-reported functional difficulty (33.2 +/- 35.1, training group versus 8.0 +/- 10.2, control group; p < 0.05)). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: A sensorimotor training using a sling suspension system improved the patients' proprioception in the knee joints and their self-reported function. Thus, these exercises may serve as an exercise programme for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

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