Star Excursion Balance Test as an Exercise to Improve Static and Dynamic Balance in Community-Dwelling Persons with Unilateral Osteoarthritis of Knee - original article

Sep 15, 2026

Knee joint stability is essential for postural stability, and unilateral osteoarthritis of the knee often produces abnormal weight distribution as a compensatory response to pain and malalignment. Conventional physiotherapy is used to slow degenerative progression, while the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) can evaluate dynamic postural stability. This study assessed SEBT-based postural control exercise (SEBTx) versus routine physiotherapy in community-dwelling participants, focusing on posturography weight distribution, NPRS pain, and TUG performance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

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Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Human subjects

Baseline Assessments

30 Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. April-June 2021, Vol. 15, No. 2 original article Star Excursion Balance Test as an Exercise to Improve Static and Dynamic Balance in Community-Dwelling Persons with Unilateral Osteoarthritis of Knee Kukiat Tudpor1, Kiattisin Kanjanawanishkul2, Sumalai Kam-Ard3, Thipphawan Intarak4, Wallapa Traithip5, Kemika Sombateyotha6, Niruwan Turnbull7 1Assistant Professor, Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, 2Assistant Professor, Research Unit of Process Design and Automation, Faculty of Engineering, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, 3Director, Nongpai Health Promoting Hospital, Baan Waai, Wapipathum, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, 4Director, Donmannam Health Promoting Hospital, Baan Waai, Wapipathum, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, 5Physical therapist, Physical Therapy Unit, Suddhavej Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakham University, Mahasarakham, Thailand, 6Lecturer, Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, 7Associate Professor, Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham, Thailand Abstract Knee joint stability is important for postural stability.Abnormal weight distribution is common in individuals with unilateral osteoarthritis of knee (OAknee) as compensatory mechanism for pain and joint malalignments. Various forms of conventional physiotherapy interventions have been used to prevent further degenerative process. Star excursion balance test (SEBT) has been invented to assess dynamic postural stability. This present study was aimed to investigate effects of SEBT as a postural control exercise training tool(SEBTx) in persons with unilateral OA knee. Fourteen participants were randomly assigned to control group (n = 7) and SEBTx group (n = 7) . The control group received weekly routine physiotherapy interventions (joint mobilization, ultrasound therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and taping) . In addition to the routine interventions, the SEBTxgroup was instructed to perform SEBTxfor 30 min/session, 3 sessions/ week, for 4 weeks. Primary outcome (weight distributionon posturography in 8 directions – anterior, Rt. anterolateral, Rt.lateral, Rt. posterolateral, posterior, Lt. posterolateral, Lt. lateral, Lt. anterolateral)was measured at baseline and4 weeks post-intervention. Secondary outcomes numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were used to assess pain and dynamic balance, respectively. Results showed thatweight distribution inSEBTx group significantly improved in the Lt. posterolateral and posterior directions post-intervention. Moreover, NPRS in SEBTx group significantly reduced from 47.9±7.4 to 33.3±6.0 . Lastly, TUG significantly reduced from 13.5±0.9 to 11.5±0.7 s in SEBTx group. In conclusion, the SEBTx should be applied to improve postural balance in individuals with unilateral (OA knee) . Keywords:osteoarthritis of knee, star excursion balance test, dynamic postural control, Timed Up and Go, knee pain Corresponding author: Kukiat Tudpor Faculty of Public Health, Mahasarakham University, Khamrieng, Kantarawichai, Maha Sarakham, Thailand 44150, [Email:kukiat.t@msu.ac.th](Email:kukiat.t@msu.ac.th) Introduction Knee joint stability is important for postural stability of the entire body.1Therefore, accumulative abnormal biomechanical knee joint loading essentially leads to afferent somatosensory dysfunction in osteoarthritis of knee (OA knee), resulting in postural sway.2, 3Postural Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, April-June 2021, Vol. 15, No. 2 31 sway inOA kneeis attributed to lack of accurate proprioceptive feedback.3When knee proprioception is altered, proprioceptive input is compensated by foot and ankle mechanoreceptors.4, 5Moreover, an inter-limb weight-bearing asymmetry is also observed as offloading mechanism on affected knee.6 Thisincreases risk of furth

FAQs

What is the purpose of using SEBT-based exercise (SEBTx) in unilateral knee osteoarthritis?

The study aims to evaluate whether SEBTx improves static and dynamic postural balance and reduces pain in persons with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.

How were participants assigned to groups in this study?

Fourteen participants with unilateral OA knee were allocated to a control group (routine weekly physiotherapy) or an SEBTx group (routine physiotherapy plus SEBTx training).

What outcomes were measured to assess effectiveness?

Primary outcome was weight distribution on posturography in eight directions, and secondary outcomes included NPRS for pain and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test for dynamic balance.

Sep 15, 2026

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