Alterations in functional connectivity patterns of knee osteoarthritis patients induced by exercise therapy: an fNIRS Study


Dumlu S. N., Erdoğan S. B., Öztürk Ö., Yukselen G.

FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS, vol.0, no.0, 2026 (Conference Book)

  • Publication Type: Article / Abstract
  • Volume: 0 Issue: 0
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Journal Name: FRONTIERS IN NEUROERGONOMICS
  • Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract


 Exercise therapy is a treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA), yet its central neurophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. Altered functional connectivity (FC) within pain-related cortical networks has been implicated in pain chronification and maladaptive modulation. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) provides a non-invasive approach to investigate these cortical dynamics. The aim of this study was to examine exercise-induced changes FC during painful and non-painful stimulation in patients with chronic KOA.