A study of acupressure on range of knee joint movement in osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Background : Acupressure in osteoartitis may help decrease the pain and improve the range of knee joint motion. It may also decrease the side effects of medications and reduce the future expense.

Objective : The purpose of this study is to assess the benefit of acupressure improving the range of movement of knee joint and reducing the pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Research design : Clinical trial Setting Bang Yai Hospital, Bang Yai, Nonthaburi.

Material and Methods : The patients who participated in the study had already been diagnosed by orthopedics at Bang Yai Hospital in Nontaburi. A total of 15 volunteer were recruited before randomized. The total time of this study was approximately 5 weeks. We started on 2, 3 and 4 week, once/week. The degrees of movement of the knee of the patients in the experimental group were assessed before and after acupressure with a goniometer; their pain was monitored in 6 levels.

Results : The range of movement of the knee joint in the experiment was no better than the after treatment. However, their level of pain had statistical difference (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusions : Acupressure in osteoartitis may decrease pain but it makes no difference in the degree of knee joint movement