The Effectiveness of Thai Exercise with Traditional Massage on the Pain, Walking Ability and QOL of Older People with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial in the Community

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the effectiveness of a class- and home-based exercise with massage between Thai traditional and standardized physical therapy (TPT and SPT) in older people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one subjects with KOA (aged 50–85 years) in two selected villages were randomly assigned into the TPT or SPT programs. Seventeen TPT subjects received Thai exercise with traditional massage, and 14 SPT individuals performed strengthening exercise with Swedish massage. Both programs consisted of a class with supervision plus home self-care for 8 weeks; the subjects then managed home self-care for 1 year. [Results] After 2 months, the six-minute walk test (6MWT), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and SF-36 testing showed significant improvement in both groups, but the improvement of the TPT group was greater. After 1year, only the score for the 6MWT was greater in the TPT group than in the SPT group. [Conclusion] The TPT program yielded better results for the 6MWT, but, both programs had beneficial effects on the pain, function, and QOL of middle-aged and older patients with KOA in the community setting.

Prevalence and individual risk factors associated with clinical lumbar instability in rice farmers with low back pain

“… 3 , 5 Proper assessment of muscle function on physical activities prior to exercise training is important for individuals to provide a better exercise prescription at home or at the community center. 34 , 35 …”

Non-operative management of osteoarthritis of the knee joint

“…20 Punee et al in an RCT investigated the effectiveness of a class and home-based exercise with massage between Thai traditional (TPT) and standardized physical therapy (SPT) in older people with knee OA. 21 They found significant improvement in both groups, but the improvement of the TPT group was greater.…”

Knee arthritis pain is reduced and range of motion is increased following moderate pressure massage therapy

“…A study comparing Thai massage with Swedish massage in a sample of older people with knee osteoarthritis supports the need for moderate pressure [2]. In this study the group that received Thai massage (which generally involves more pressure) reported a greater reduction in pain on the WOMAC than the group that received Swedish massage.…”

“…However, on more objective measures such as range of motion (ROM), these four studies are inconclusive. This would relate to ROM not being measured in two of the studies [1,2]. In the first of these, pain was measured using a 10-point Likert scale, and pain decreased even though only the patient's healthy foot, hands and upper parts of the shoulders were massaged "shallowly" for 20 min each day of their hospitalization [1].…”