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

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The literature on massage therapy effects on knee pain suggests that pain was reduced based on self-report, but little is known about range of motion (ROM) effects.

METHODS:

Medical School staff and faculty who had knee arthritis pain were randomly assigned to a moderate pressure massage therapy or a waitlist control group (24 per group). Self-reports included the WOMAC (pain, stiffness and function) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. ROM and ROM-related pain were assessed before and after the last sessions.

RESULTS:

The massage group showed an immediate post-massage increase in ROM and a decrease in ROM-associated pain. On the last versus the first day of the study, the massage group showed greater increases in ROM and decreases in ROM-related pain as well as less self-reported pain and sleep disturbances than the waitlist control group.

DISCUSSION:

These data highlight the effectiveness of moderate pressure massage therapy for increasing ROM and lessening ROM-related pain and long-term pain and sleep disturbances.

• Authors: Tiffany Field, Miguel Diego, Gladys Gonzalez, C G Funk
• Journal: Complementary therapies in clinical practice (Complement Ther Clin Pract) Vol. 21 Issue 4 Pg. 233-7 (Nov 2015) ISSN: 1873-6947 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26573449 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Arthralgia (physiopathology, therapy)
• Cohort Studies
• Female
• Health Personnel
• Humans
• Knee Joint (physiopathology)
• Massage (methods)
• Middle Aged
• Range of Motion, Articular (physiology)