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Objective: To describe the feasibility of a neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) program in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Background: Neuromuscular exercise has been increasingly used in patients with osteoarthritis to achieve sensorimotor control and improved daily function. Treatment: A study of the first 23 physically active patients (11 men, 12 women; age range = 48–70 years) who had mild to moderate KOA and were undergoing an 8-week, twice-weekly program, consisting of 11 exercises with 3 to 4 levels of difficulty, as part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. The level of difficulty was noted for each exercise and session. We recorded exertion, pain, adverse events, and adherence. For the 18 patients who participated in 6 or more sessions, a progression of at least 1 level of difficulty (out of 3–4) was observed in half or more of the exercises. However, few patients progressed to jumping activities. Exertion ranged from light to very heavy. Four patients reported a clinically relevant increase in short-term pain after 1 to 2 of the 16 scheduled sessions. No adverse musculoskeletal events were reported. Notably, 3 patients dropped out due to increased (n = 2) or persisting (n = 1) knee pain. However, their pain ratings did not show worsening symptoms. Uniqueness: This NEMEX-KOA program was designed for physically active middle-aged patients with mild to moderate KOA; therefore, it involved exercises and difficulty levels that were more challenging than a previously described NEMEX program for patients eligible for total joint replacement. Conclusions: In patients with baseline mild to severe pain with activity, the NEMEX-KOA program was feasible. Progression was achieved with few incidents of clinically relevant increases in pain and no adverse events. However, jumping activities were not feasible. These findings hold promise for investigating the efficacy of the NEMEX-KOA program in individuals with mild to moderate KOA.

OBJECTIVE: To test long-term effectiveness of neuromuscular exercise (NEMEX) with instructions in optimized pharmacological treatment (PHARMA) on activities of daily living (ADL) in patients with early knee osteoarthritis.DESIGN: 12-months follow-up from a randomized controlled trial. Participants with mild-to-moderate medial tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis were randomly allocated to 8 weeks NEMEX or PHARMA. The primary outcome measure was the ADL-subscale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcome measures included the other four KOOS-subscales, the University of California Activity Score (UCLA) and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions.RESULTS: Ninety-three patients (57% women, 58 ± 8 years, body mass index 27 ± 4 kg/m(2)) were randomized to NEMEX (n = 47) or PHARMA group (n = 46) with data from 85% being available at 12-months follow-up. Good compliance was achieved for 49% of the participants in NEMEX (≥12 sessions) and 7% in PHARMA (half the daily dose of acetaminophen/NSAIDs ≥ 28 days). Within-group improvements in NEMEX were considered to be clinically relevant (≥10 points) for all KOOS-subscales, except Sport/Rec whereas, no between-groups difference in the primary outcome KOOS ADL (3.6 [-2.1 to 9.2]; P = 0.216) was observed. For KOOS Symptoms, a statistically significant difference of 7.6 points (2.6-12.7; P = 0.004) was observed in favor of NEMEX with 47% improving ≥10 points.CONCLUSIONS: No difference in improvement in difficulty with ADL was observed. NEMEX improved knee symptoms to a greater extent with half of patients reporting clinically relevant improvements. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01638962 (July 3, 2012).ETHICAL COMMITTEE: S-20110153.

Summary Objective To investigate the effect of a neuro-muscular exercise (NEMEX) therapy program compared with instructions in optimized analgesics and anti-inflammatory drug use (PHARMA), on measures of knee-joint load in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA). We hypothesized that knee joint loading during walking would be reduced by NEMEX and potentially increased by PHARMA. Design Single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing NEMEX therapy twice a week with PHARMA. Participants with mild-to-moderate medial tibiofemoral knee OA were randomly allocated (1:1) to one of two 8-week treatments. Primary outcome was change in knee load during walking (Knee Index, a composite score from all three planes based on 3D movement analysis) after 8 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes were frontal plane peak knee adduction moment (KAM), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) and functional performance tests. Results Ninety three participants (57% women, 58 ± 8 years with a body mass index [BMI] of 27 ± 4 kg/m 2 (mean ± standard deviation [SD])) were randomized to NEMEX group ( n = 47) or PHARMA ( n = 46); data from 44 (94%) and 41 (89%) participants respectively, were available at follow-up. 49% of the participants in NEMEX and only 7% in PHARMA demonstrated good compliance. We found no difference in the primary outcome as evaluated by the Knee Index −0.07 [−0.17; 0.04] Nm/%BW HT. Secondary outcomes largely supported this finding. Conclusions We found no difference in the primary outcome; knee joint load change during walking from a NEMEX program vs information on the recommended use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01638962 (July 3, 2012). Ethical Committee: S-20110153.

Objective: To investigate neck muscle activity and postural control in patients with whiplash-associated disorder compared with healthy controls. Design: Cross-sectional study with convenience sampling. Subjects: Ten females with whiplash-associated disorder (age 37.7 years (21-58), neck pain > 2 years and Neck Disability Index (NDI) > 10) and 10 healthy female controls (age 35.9 years (21-53), NDI < 6). Methods: Surface electromyography measured muscle activity of the anterior scalene, sternocleidomastoid, neck extensors and upper trapezius muscles, expressed as mean relative activity related to maximum voluntary electromyography (%MVE). On a force plate, 3 balance tasks (Romberg stance with open and closed eyes, 1-legged stance) and a perturbation task with sudden unloading, were performed. The total area, areas from slow and fast components, and range of displacements were calculated from decomposed centre of pressure anterior-posterior and medial-lateral signals. Results: During balance tasks with closed eyes and one-legged stance, the relative mean activity of all 4 muscles was significantly increased in whiplash-associated disorder compared with healthy controls. Postural sway was also significantly increased. Conclusion: Increased neck muscle activity and increased postural sway during simple balance tasks indicate disturbed sensory feedback patterns in people with whiplashassociated disorder, which may have negative consequences when performing daily activities.

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a mechanically driven disease, and it is suggested that medial tibiofemoral knee-joint load increases with pharmacologic pain relief, indicating that pharmacologic pain relief may be positively associated with disease progression. Treatment modalities that can both relieve pain and reduce knee-joint load would be preferable. The knee-joint load is influenced by functional alignment of the trunk, pelvis, and lower-limb segments with respect to the knee, as well as the ground-reaction force generated during movement. Neuromuscular exercise can influence knee load and decrease knee pain. It includes exercises to improve balance, muscle activation, functional alignment, and functional knee stability. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the efficacy of a NEuroMuscular EXercise (NEMEX) therapy program, compared with optimized analgesics and antiinflammatory drug use, on the measures of knee-joint load in people with mild to moderate medial tibiofemoral knee osteoarthritis.METHOD/DESIGN: One hundred men and women with mild to moderate medial knee osteoarthritis will be recruited from general medical practices and randomly allocated (1:1) to one of two 8-week treatments, either (a) NEMEX therapy twice a week or (b) information on the recommended use of analgesics and antiinflammatory drugs (acetaminophen and oral NSAIDs) via a pamphlet and video materials. The primary outcome is change in knee load during walking (the Knee Index, a composite score of the first external peak total reaction moment on the knee joint from all three planes based on 3D movement analysis) after 8 weeks of intervention. Secondary outcomes include changes in the external peak knee-adduction moment and impulse and functional performance measures, in addition to changes in self-reported pain, function, health status, and quality of life.DISCUSSION: These findings will help determine whether 8 weeks of neuromuscular exercise is superior to optimized use of analgesics and antiinflammatory drugs regarding knee-joint load, pain and physical function in people with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01638962 (July 3, 2012).