Randomized Comparison of effectiveness of Clinical Exercises and Manual Therapy Procedures Versus Clinical Exercises alone in the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of Knee

Aim: This study is designed to compare the effectiveness of clinical exercises and manual therapy procedures with clinical exercises alone for reducing pain and improving physical function in OA knee patients. To know particularly the effectiveness of manual therapy procedures for the management of OA knee patients.

Study design: Experimental study, Randomized Control Trial.

Method: 40 patients of OA knee were recruited into two groups .Experimental Group (n=20) received Manual Therapy which included passive physiological and accessory movements (Maitland), muscle stretching and soft tissue mobilization along with clinical exercises as strengthening ,muscle stretching, range of motion exercises of knee joint and stationary bicycle. Control Group (n=20) received clinical exercises alone which included strengthening, muscle stretching, range of motion exercises of knee joint and stationary bicycle with detailed evaluation including WOMAC, ROM and all parameters of 6-minute walk test were taken as baseline as well as after 4 week of treatment.

Results: Both the groups showed clinically and statistically significant improvement in WOMAC and 6- minute walk test at 4-weeks .WOMAC scores had improved by 52% in experimental group and by 41% in control group. Average 6- minute walk had improved about 10% in both the groups.

Conclusion: There was significant improvement in both the groups; however the manual therapy and clinical exercises group was more effective in reducing pain and improving knee ROM for patients of Osteoarthritis of knee as compared to clinical exercises group.