The Effect of Swedish Massage on Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disease of the joints and also a main physical disorder in the elderly population. One third of people older than 65 years-old suffer from OA. It is predicted that by 2020, OA is the most frequently reported chronic condition among the elderly. The treatment includes drugs, physical therapy, and surgery. Massage therapy is an alternative treatment option to relieve the symptoms, which is not usually used for knee OA. As there are very few trials in the literature regarding knee OA treatment, this study is set to examine the effects of Swedish massage on knee OA. In a randomized clinical controlled trial on the effect of massage therapy of the knee OA, 46 female adults (at least 35 years of age) with knee OA were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized in one of the two groups: the experimental treatment group receiving the standard treatment (ultrasound, infrared and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) with Swedish massage and the control group who received the standard treatment only. Before and after the intervention, the pain and the quality of life were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis index. There were significant differences in the pain level and quality of life before and after the intervention (P<0.05). The findings showed significant improvement in the mean WOMAC and VAS scores in the two groups (P<0.001). The changes in VAS and WOMAC scores were compared between the two groups which demonstrated significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). Massage therapy is efficacious in the treatment of knee OA. It is recommended to combine this method with the other physiotherapy methods for knee OA.