Comparison of manual therapy and exercise therapy in osteoarthritis of the hip: a randomized clinical trial.

Authors: Hugo L Hoeksma, Joost Dekker, H Karel Ronday, Annet Heering, Nico van der Lubbe, Cees Vel et al.Journal: Arthritis and rheumatismPublished: January 11, 2005DOI: 10.1002/art.20685

Q2 JournalSJR: 1.476h-index: 69SCImago

Moderate EvidenceRandomized Controlled Trialn=109 participants

Knee Pain / Osteoarthritis

In Plain Language: knee pain, explained

This study investigated the effectiveness of manual therapy compared to exercise therapy for treating patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. The researchers found that those who received manual therapy experienced significantly better outcomes in terms of pain relief and hip function. This matters because it suggests that manual therapy may be a more effective treatment option for people suffering from this condition.

Key Findings: what this randomised trial found about knee pain

✓81% success rate in the manual therapy group compared to 50% in the exercise group
✓Patients in the manual therapy group reported significantly lower pain levels
✓Significant improvement in hip function and range of motion for manual therapy recipients after treatment
✓Effects lasted up to 29 weeks post-treatment

What This Means for You

For individuals considering reflexology treatment for hip osteoarthritis, this study indicates that manual therapy may offer better pain relief and improved joint function than exercise alone.

What This Means for Practitioners

Reflexology practitioners could incorporate manual therapy techniques into their practice, as this study shows that such techniques can significantly improve pain and function in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Study Design: how this randomised trial was run

Blinding

single blind

Control

none

Duration

5 weeks

Sample Size

109 participants

Limitations: what it cannot tell you about knee pain

The study only included patients from a single clinic, and the follow-up duration was limited.

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Knee pain: common questions

What does this study say about knee pain?

For individuals considering reflexology treatment for hip osteoarthritis, this study indicates that manual therapy may offer better pain relief and improved joint function than exercise alone.

What did this study find?

81% success rate in the manual therapy group compared to 50% in the exercise group. Patients in the manual therapy group reported significantly lower pain levels. Significant improvement in hip function and range of motion for manual therapy recipients after treatment.

How strong is this evidence?

This is a randomised trial and we rate its evidence moderate. It covers 109 participants. It was published in Arthritis and rheumatism, a Q2 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.