Avaliação do equilíbrio dinâmico em indivíduos com osteoartrite de joelho a partir do y balance test: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic condition that significantly interferes with quality of life, particularly in the elderly, due to progressive joint wear, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. Balance is impaired in this population. Among the assessment methods for postural balance available in the literature, the Y Balance Test (YBT) is a method designed to assess dynamic balance, especially in athletes. However, doubts arise regarding knee osteoarthritis as to whether this test could be used. Objective: To assess the dynamic balance of individuals with KOA using the YBT. Methodology: observational and cross-sectional study, focusing on using the YBT. Developed at the Physiotherapy School Clinic of the Trairi School of Health Sciences, Santa Cruz, RN. Individuals with KOA, female, aged 45 years or older, with pain ≥ 3 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and who were not undergoing physiotherapy treatment for at least 60 days participated in the study. Results: Higher values ​​were observed in the literature for the Y Test directions. Physical capacity, BMI, quadriceps performance, gluteus medius strength, hamstrings, ankle instability, and mental stability seem to have a strong influence on test performance. Conclusion: although there was no cutoff point with parameters for KOA, similar results were found to previous studies. Therefore, the present study suggests that the application of the Y test in individuals with KOA could be proposed for evaluation and intervention in physical therapy, considering factors that may influence the difficulty of the test.