Purpose:
To investigate and compare the effects of 6-week self-management education (SME) and quadriceps strengthening exercises (QSE) on pain and disability in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods:
A total of 79 (13 males, 66 females) consecutive patients with knee OA were randomised into SME and QSE groups. The SME group were taught modules of self-management once a week for 6 weeks, while the QSE group had supervised QSE thrice a week for 6 weeks. Pain intensity and physical function were assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale and Ibadan Knee/Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Measure (IKHOAM) at baseline, week 6, and at the follow-up time points of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd months.

Results:
The effects of both interventions were comparable (p > 0.005) during intervention and follow-up. During intervention, in both groups, pain intensity significantly decreased (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.603) and IKHOAM scores improved (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.540). There were significant time by group interaction effects during follow-up as pain intensity (p < 0.001, effect size = 0.085) did not change in the QSE group but further decreased in the SME group, IKHOAM scores (p = 0.005, effect size = 0.053) remained the same in the SME group while it decreased in the QSE group with respect to the end of intervention (6th week).

Conclusions:
Supervised QSE and SME are both effective in reducing pain and disability in knee OA but improvements in the outcomes are better sustained with SME.