Impact of exercise type and dose on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-regression analysis of randomized controlled trials

Juhl C, et al. · Arthritis & Rheumatology

Aerobic, resistance and performance exercise gave similar pain relief; programs focusing on a single exercise type, supervised, at 3+ sessions/week were more effective than mixed low-dose programs. Quadriceps-specific programs were among the most effective.

Population

48 RCTs in knee OA

Intervention

Aerobic, resistance, or performance exercise at varying doses

Comparator

Non-exercise controls

Limitations

Meta-regression is observational across trials; optimal dose inferred indirectly.