OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to study the effects and therapeutic value of closed kinetic chain exercises on pain and functional performance of patients with knee osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty individuals with knee osteoarthritis (28 females, 2 males), with a mean age of 54.5 years were introduced into this study. Subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups and were assessed before and after a 5-week therapy phase. Muscle strenth of quadriceps femoris was measured with Cybex 350 isokinetic dynamometer in 30 degrees and 60 degrees positions. Pain intensity was scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and on a knee pain scale (KPS). A functional performance test was also applied. One group performed De Lorme technique, which is one of the progressive resistance exercise (PRE) techniques, while the other group performed closed kinetic chain exercise (CKCE). Data were analyzed using the SPSS program. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found before and after therapy for muscle strength, VAS, KPS and functional performance in both groups. When the two groups were compared, muscle strength and functional performance tests were found to be significantly better in the CKCE group than in PRE group after the therapy.

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