Effects of physical exercise on muscle function of the knee, pain and quality of life in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

研究概要

Five randomized controlled trials with 286 postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing physical exercise interventions, including aquatic and aerobic exercise, to control groups. Pooled outcomes included physical function, pain, stiffness, knee muscle function, and quality of life. The meta-analysis found significant improvements in physical function for the exercise group, with moderate effect sizes, though no significant differences were observed in pain or stiffness outcomes. Overall, the findings suggest that exercise can enhance physical function in postmenopausal women with knee OA but underline the need for standardized assessment tools to enable broader comparisons across studies.