Effect of MobilizationGrad 1 in Pain and Reduction of Osteoarthritic Knee

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the common disabling conditions in human. Joint mobilization is a passive rhythmic accessory movement therapy that is used in the treatment of OA.  In this study, the effect of grade one mobilization, on pain reduction of knee OA has been investigated.

Materials and Methods: This study was an unidirectional blind clinical trial with random sampling from patients admitted to sarcheshme physiotherapy clinic in 2007. Thirty participants were divided into 3 groups randomly: group 1: Mobilization + Exercise therapy, group 2: Exercise therapy and group 3: Mobilization. Ultrasound with the intensity below 0.2 W/Cm² was used for all groups as placebo. The treatment was done in 10 sessions during 3 weeks. Outcome was measured using was WOMAC questionnaire form (Likert Type). Measurements were done before and after treatment and one week after final treatment session. Friedman, Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for data analysis included.

Results: Comparison of pain between before and after treatment showed significant differences in group 1 (P=0.01) and group 3 (P=0.04) but was not significant in group 2 (P=0.135). The difference of pain at follow up visit was significant only in group 1 in comparison to before treatment (P=0.007). Pain reduction between before and after treatment (P=0.504) and before treatment and follow up session (P=0.18), showed no significant differences, between 3 groups.

Conclusion: This study showed that grade 1 mobilization can decrease the pain of knee OA. If exercise therapy is used combined with mobilization, the effect of treatment will continue at least for about one week.