Objective: This study was conducted to determine the ability of osteoarthritis (OA) patients to exercise at home and the extent to which they benefit from such exercise.

Metarials and Methods: The research was carried out on 103 patients who had been admitted to the physical therapy and rehabilitation (PMR) clinic with the diagnosis of OA, and who agreed to participate in the study, having been granted permission by the institution. The research data were obtained using a questionnaire, formulated on the basis of a literature review, which was completed by patients at the PMR clinic, using a face-to-face interview technique. In the assessment of data, the chi square test and logistic regression analysis were used. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 

Results: It was found that 58.3% of participants exercised at home, and that 80% of those who exercised did muscle and joint exercises three times a week. Sixty-six point seven percent of those who exercised stated that exercise reduced symptoms such as pain, morning stiffness caused by OA. It was established that the reasons for patients not taking regular exercise included principally pain (76% of them), disbelief in the efficacy of exercise, lack of time and information. The study showed that availability of information (p<0.001) was a highly statistically significant factor in determining whether patients do exercise at home, and that affected joint type and level of income (p<0.01) are also statistically significant factors.

Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that more than half of the OA patients made different kinds of exercise at home and that these exercises reduced their symptoms.