The effects of neuromuscular training on functional outcome measures in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Previous studies indicate exercises are a crucial component in managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It appears interventions targeting sensorimotor performance may offer advantages for individuals with KOA. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physiotherapy Theory & Practice Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 595 - 609
Main Authors: Emami, Fatemeh, Sadeghi, Masoumeh, Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Hosein, Pirayeh, Nahid, Ebrahimzadeh, Saeedeh, Mostafaee, Neda
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Apr2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=192729125&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 192729125
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        09593985
        BCJ
      jtl: Physiotherapy Theory & Practice
      issn: 09593985
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Apr2026
      vid: 42
      iid: 4
      pid: 377
      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    artinfo:
      ui:
        192729125
        189101284
        192729125
        192729125
        10.1080/09593985.2025.2584359
        192729125
      ppf: 595
      ppct: 14
      formats:
        fmt:
          – @attributes:
              type: T
          – @attributes:
              type: P
      tig:
        atl: The effects of neuromuscular training on functional outcome measures in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
      aug:
        au:
          Emami, Fatemeh
          Sadeghi, Masoumeh
          Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Hosein
          Pirayeh, Nahid
          Ebrahimzadeh, Saeedeh
          Mostafaee, Neda
        affil: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Paramedical and Rehabilitation Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
      sug:
        subj:
          Neuromuscular Facilitation
          Functional Assessment
          Osteoarthritis, Knee Rehabilitation
          Training Effect (Physiology)
          Patient-Reported Outcomes
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          Physiotherapy Evidence Database
          PubMed
          Medline
          Confidence Intervals
          Scales
          Quality of Life
          Balance, Postural
          Muscle Strength
          Funding Source
          Quadriceps Muscles
          Hamstring Muscles
          Checklists
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
      ab: Background: Previous studies indicate exercises are a crucial component in managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). It appears interventions targeting sensorimotor performance may offer advantages for individuals with KOA. This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of neuromuscular exercises (NEMEX) on patient-reported and performance-based outcome measures of physical function in this population. Methods: We systematically searched for studies in electronic databases (Web of Science, Science Direct, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PubMed, Scopus, Medline and ProQuest) from 1990 to March 2025, prioritizing KOOS and WOMAC as primary outcomes and other measures as secondary outcomes. In meta-analyses, we used weighted mean differences along with 95% confidence interval to assess absolute difference in KOOS, WOMAC, timed up-and-go and chair stand test scores. We used forest plots to represent our data. Results: Eight articles of clinical trials were eligible to include in this review. The meta-analysis showed KOOS-quality-of-life scores (mean difference = 5.36, 95%CI = 1.07 to 9.65, p =.01, I2 = 0.00%) were significantly higher in the NEMEX group compared to control groups. The WOMAC (mean difference = −5.21, 95%CI = −10.31 to −0.11, p =.05, I2 = 81.48%) showed lower scores trending toward significance in NEMEX group compared to control groups. The timed up-and-go test (mean difference = -0.05, 95%CI = −0.52 to 0.42, p =.58, I2 = 0.00%) and chair stand test (mean difference = 0.47, 95%CI = -0.31 to 1.24, p =.08, I2 = 67.87%) indicated no significant difference between the NEMEX and control groups. However, studies assessing the effect of NEMEX on stair climb test, Y balance test, muscle strength of quadriceps and hamstrings, and quality of life questionnaire had conflicting results. Conclusion: The NEMEX effectively promoted quality of life among individuals with KOA and should be included in rehabilitation programs.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N