Effects of Swedish massage on gait spatiotemporal parameters in adult women with medial knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate whether Swedish massage could relieve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and improve gait spatiotemporal parameters in patients with knee OA.
Results Summary
The intervention group showed significant pain relief, improved function, increased gait speed, total support time, and single support time, as well as decreased step width and initial double support time compared to the control group.
Population
Thirty adult women with knee osteoarthritis.
Effective Dosage
20-30 minutes per session, 12 sessions.
Duration
12 sessions (duration per session not specified beyond 20-30 minutes).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Swedish massage | decrease | pain | patients with knee OA | - | demonstrated significantly more pain relief | #1 |
Swedish massage | increase | function | patients with knee OA | - | improved function | #2 |
Swedish massage | increase | gait speed | patients with knee OA | - | significant increase | #3 |
Swedish massage | increase | total support time | patients with knee OA | - | significant increase | #4 |
Swedish massage | increase | single support time | patients with knee OA | - | significant increase | #5 |
Swedish massage | decrease | step width | patients with knee OA | - | significant decrease | #6 |
Swedish massage | decrease | initial double support time | patients with knee OA | - | significant decrease | #7 |
BACKGROUND: Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are always faced with functional limitations in daily activities due to knee pain. They are also at risk of falling because of compensatory kinetics and kinematics changes in walking, which is why they are seeking complementary therapies to deal with their problems. OBJECTIVE: The present research aimed to evaluate whether Swedish massage is effective in relieving the symptoms of knee OA and improving the gait spatiotemporal parameters of patients with knee OA. METHODS: Thirty adult women with knee OA participated in this study voluntarily. The intervention group (n = 15) received Swedish massage on their quadriceps for 20-30 min per session (12 sessions). During this period, the control group (n = 15) received their regular treatment. Osteoarthritis symptoms were evaluated by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. The spatiotemporal parameters of gait were also captured by the motion analysis system during barefoot walking. RESULTS: The intervention group demonstrated significantly more pain relief and improved function compared to the control group. A significant increase was observed in the gait speed, total support time, and single support time (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the step width and initial double support time of the patients after receiving Swedish massage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that Swedish massage may positively affect pain relief and function improvement in patients with knee OA. Also, Swedish massage was found to improve the spatiotemporal parameters in the patients. This may have important clinical implications regarding the rehabilitation of patients with knee OA.