Effect of Alexithymia on Response to Physical Therapy in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases and is associated with chronic pain, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Psychological factors may influence both symptom severity and response to treatment. Alexithymia, characterized by difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions, has been associated with poorer outcomes in chronic pain conditions. The aim of this prospective observational study is to investigate whether the presence of alexithymia affects the clinical response to a standardized physical therapy program in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Participants will undergo a standard physical therapy regimen and will be evaluated before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 6 weeks after treatment completion. Pain, functional status, alexithymia, anxiety, and depression will be assessed using validated clinical scales. The study seeks to determine whether alexithymia is an independent predictor of treatment response in patients with knee osteoarthritis.