Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique and Neuromuscular Knee Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Puttha Saroja, Sindhura K Prasanth

Abstract: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative condition characterized by pain, reduced joint mobility, muscle weakness, and functional disability. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of non-surgical rehabilitation approaches for knee OA, including Muscle Energy Technique (MET), neuromuscular knee strengthening exercises, and physiotherapy-based interventions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, PEDro, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and the Cochrane Library, following PRISMA guidelines. Of the 98 studies identified, 74 were excluded due to duplication, inaccessibility, or mismatch with eligibility criteria. Twenty-four full-text articles were screened, and six studies involving adults aged 40?75 years with Grade I?III knee OA met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicated that non-surgical interventions significantly reduced pain, improved knee range of motion, enhanced balance, proprioception, and functional outcomes. Combination therapies, such as neuromuscular strengthening exercises combined with MET, produced better results than single interventions. Muscle Energy Technique was consistently effective in reducing pain, improving hamstring flexibility, and increasing knee extension range of motion, with Post-Isometric Relaxation MET demonstrating superior results compared to Reciprocal Inhibition MET. Physiotherapy-based and individualized treatment approaches achieved greater functional improvement and pain reduction. Despite variations in study design and treatment duration, evidence supports non-surgical rehabilitation as a safe, effective, and cost-efficient first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis. However, limited sample sizes and short follow-up durations highlight the need for further high-quality, long-term randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.

Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Muscle Energy Technique, Neuromuscular Training, Proprioception, Pain Reduction, Functional Mobility, Rehabilitation

How to Cite?: Puttha Saroja, Sindhura K Prasanth, "Effectiveness of Muscle Energy Technique and Neuromuscular Knee Strengthening Exercises in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 806-812, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251210172556, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251210172556