This study used a quasi-experimental design, to examine the effects of the community-based exercise program . A Convenience sampling of Thai women participating in elderly clubs, with clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and currently living in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand was undertaken. The clinical symptoms" were knee pain and additional three indicators of: a) age over 50,
b) knee stiffness less than 30 minutes, c) crepitus,
d) bony tenderness , e) bony enlargement, or f) no palpable warmth. Thirty control participants were recruited from three elderly clubs whereas thirty experimental participants were recruited from an elderly club located over 10 kilometers from the controls. Eligible participants were women who met the following criteria: (a) aged 50 to 70 years, participants who were 60 and older completed the Set Test 35 for mental stage assessment; (b) presented clinical criteria for osteoarthritis of the knee;" (c) absence of self-reported systemic inflammatory arthritis; (d) absence of serious medical conditions that could be significant contraindications to exercise; (e) body mass index less than 40.0 Kg1m2 ;
(f) not currently engaging in other treatment program intervention for their arthritis; and (g) absence of major lower extremity joint reconstructive surgery. Participants were excluded if they experienced: (a) severity of knee symptoms greater than moderate level; (b) pain of hip or ankle greater than moderate level daily, or having multiple major joint osteoarthritis involvement, or perceiving knee joint instability; and (c) receiving steroid injections into the affected knee within the past 3 months. To protect participants' human rights, the study proposal was approved by the University Ethical Committee . Participants were informed about the detail of the study explained by the researcher before giving their signature (or thumb printed) in the consent form.
In the experimental setting, four stationary
cycles was situated within a temple where had been used as an exercise facility and was undertaken by elderly club and exercise club members . Eligible participants could go exercise during 2.00 pm to 7.oo pm, which was set as the intervention period. Additionally, other community members could use the exercise facility at anytime except the scheduled intervention . To promote community participation, involvement of community members in discussion of the utility of the stationary cycling exercise for people with osteoarthritis of the knee and for older people was performed. Instruction protocols of safe exercise, especially for older people, were provided by the researcher.
Ethical approval was obtained from Mahidol University before starting the experiment.