A Study To Assess The Effectiveness of Stationary Cycle Exercise on Knee Joint Pain Among Elderly People in Selected Old Age Homes of Sangli, Miraj, Kupwad Corporation Area

Abstract

Background of the Study:

Pain in the knee joint is a frequent problem among older adults, often resulting from age-related changes such as osteoarthritis. This condition can limit movement, reduce independence, and negatively affect the quality of life. Elderly individuals living in old age homes may experience more discomfort due to reduced physical activity and lack of regular exercise. Engaging in appropriate physical exercises can help in managing pain and improving joint function. Stationary cycling is a low-impact and easy-to-perform exercise that can strengthen muscles around the knee and enhance mobility. Hence, this study focuses on evaluating how effective stationary cycle exercise is in reducing knee joint pain among elderly people residing in selected old age homes in the Sangli, Miraj, and Kupwad corporation area.

Objectives:To determine whether stationary cycle exercise helps in decreasing knee joint painamong elderly individuals living in selected old age homes of the Sangli, Miraj, and Kupwad corporation area.

Material andMethods:

A quasi-experimental research design was used for this study, conducted in selected old age homes  under the Sangli, Miraj, and Kupwad Corporation. Reliability was established using the intra-rater method, yielding a coefficient of r = 1, indicating a highly reliable tool. Content validity was confirmed by 28 subject experts from relevant fields. The study sample included 84participants (42 in the experimental group and 42  in the control

group), selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using the Numerical pain scale (NPS) to assess pain  severity and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:

The analysis shows that in the experimental group, the mean pre-test pain score was 7.69 ± 1.00, which reduced to 4.78 ± 0.87 after intervention, with a mean reduction of 2.91. This difference was statistically significant (t = 28.72, p = 0.000). In the control group, the mean pain score decreased from 6.47 ± 1.06 to 5.57 ± 0.99, with a smaller mean reduction of 0.90, which was also statistically significant (t = 11.01, p = 0.000). Comparison between groups in the post-test showed that the experimental group (4.78 ± 0.87) had lower pain scores than the control group (5.57 ± 0.99), with a significant difference (t = 3.86, p = 0.000). Association analysis revealed that in the experimental group, gender (p = 0.023) and duration of knee pain (p = 0.034) were significantly associated with pain reduction, while in the control group, diagnosed medical condition (p = 0.044) showed significant association. Overall, the values indicate that stationary cycle exercise was more effective in reducing knee joint pain among elderly people.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the stationary cycle exercise is a highly effective intervention for reducing knee joint pain in elderly people.