Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint disorder in our ageing population. A combination of thermal therapy with a self-management exercise have shown a positive effect in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of topical heat pack versus focal application of heat therapy at the acupressure points in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common degenerative joint disorder in our ageing population. A combination of thermal therapy with a self-management exercise have shown a positive effect in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of topical heat pack versus focal application of heat therapy at the acupressure points in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized control trial was conducted in 76 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, diagnosed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Following inclusion and exclusion selection, patients were randomly allocated to group 1 (Heat Pack) or group 2 (Thermal Gun). All patients received 30 minutes of treatment in each session, twice a week for 4 weeks. They also received an education program and taught home knee exercises. Outcome measurements were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain intensity, muscle power, knee ROM, WOMAC and SF-12v2.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
76
Thermal gun used a heat-generating ceramic head to apply a dual effect called "heat-and-light-pressure" on the acupuncture points.
A hydrocollator heat pack used to simulate traditional thermal therapy
Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain
10-scale likert scale to measure pain level visually; Minimum = 0 and Maximum value = 10, and higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: Baseline
Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain
10-scale likert scale to measure pain level visually; Minimum = 0 and Maximum value = 10, and higher scores mean a better outcome.
Time frame: After 1 year
Knee range of movement (ROM)
Knee range of movement (ROM) in the supine position using a goniometer; Numeric
Time frame: Baseline
Knee range of movement (ROM)
Knee range of movement (ROM) in the supine position using a goniometer; Numeric
Time frame: After 1 year
Quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength
Quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength were measured according to the Oxford Scale of Muscle Strength; Numeric
Time frame: Baseline
Quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength
Quadriceps and hamstrings muscle strength were measured according to the Oxford Scale of Muscle Strength; Numeric
Time frame: After 1 year
Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC)
Functional assessment with the validated Chinese version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC); Numeric
Time frame: Baseline
Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC)
Functional assessment with the validated Chinese version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities (WOMAC); Numeric
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Time frame: After 1 year
Short Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2)
Quality of life evaluation; Expressed by Physical component summary (PCS) and Mental component summary (MCS); Both numeric, The higher score the better outcome
Time frame: Baseline
Short Form-12 version 2 (SF-12v2)
Quality of life evaluation; Expressed by Physical component summary (PCS) and Mental component summary (MCS); Both numeric, The higher score the better outcome
Time frame: After 1 year