A physiotherapist-delivered integrated exercise and pain coping skills training intervention for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial protocol

Table 1 Description of the exercise program

Exercise	Description and progression
Knee extensor strengthening	Seated knee extensions with ankle weights. Ankle weights progressed.
Hip abductor strengthening	Level 1: Side lying with ankle weights. Ankle weights progressed.
	Level 2: Standing hip abduction with elastic band around ankles. Elastic band resistance progressed.
Weight-bearing knee/hip extensor strengthening	Level 1: Partial wall squats (option to add elastic band around knees to incorporate hip abductor muscles).
	Level 2: Sit-to-stand (option to add elastic band around knees to incorporate hip abductor muscles).
	Level 3: Split sit-to-stand (or split partial wall squats) – most weight bearing on affected side.
Knee flexor strengthening	Seated knee flexion against elastic band resistance. Elastic band resistance progressed.
Step Ups/Step Down	Progress by increasing the height of the step then adding weight (i.e., back pack or hand weights).

All exercises must be progressed during the program. Dosage is 3 × 10 repetitions with 5 second holds for all exercises with the exception of level 2 and 3 sit to stand exercises which have 3 second holds.

ISSN: 1471-2474