Effect of Continuous Compression Stimulation on Pressure-Pain Threshold and Muscle Spasms in Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect of continuous compression stimulation (massage therapy) on pressure-pain threshold and muscle spasms in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.
Results Summary
Massage therapy resulted in clinically meaningful pain relief and a significant increase in pressure-pain threshold, but no significant improvement in muscle spasms. The pain relief exceeded the minimum clinically important difference for walking pain.
Population
Older adults with knee osteoarthritis on outpatient visits.
Effective Dosage
5-minute massage therapy (continuous compression stimulation).
Duration
Single-intervention session.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
continuous compression stimulation (massage therapy) | increase | change in pain on walking | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | 1.9 cm | exceeded | #1 |
continuous compression stimulation (massage therapy) | increase | pressure-pain threshold for pain at rest | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | - | improved significantly | #2 |
continuous compression stimulation (massage therapy) | increase | pressure-pain threshold for pain while walking | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | - | improved significantly | #3 |
continuous compression stimulation (massage therapy) | no change | muscle spasm | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | - | improvement was not significant | #4 |
massage therapy | decrease | pain relief | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | - | resulted in minimal clinically important changes | #5 |
massage therapy | increase | pressure-pain threshold | older adults with knee osteoarthritis | - | increase | #6 |
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of continuous compression stimulation on pressure-pain threshold and muscle spasms in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Thirty-two older adults with knee osteoarthritis on outpatient visits were randomly divided into 2 groups. Those in the treatment group (n = 16) received 5-minute massage therapy (continuous compression stimulation), and those in the control group (n = 16) received sham massage therapy (touch without compression). Immediately before and after single-intervention sessions, the pressure-pain threshold, muscle spasm, and pain were quantified. RESULTS: The change in pain on walking in the treatment group exceeded 1.9 cm, corresponding to the minimum clinically important difference. In the treatment group, the pressure-pain threshold improved significantly for pain both at rest and while walking, but the improvement in muscle spasm was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Massage therapy resulted in minimal clinically important changes for pain relief. There was an increase in the pressure-pain threshold in the older adults with knee osteoarthritis. We propose that the improvements in pain may be related to the medial thigh muscle rather than knee osteoarthritis.