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

[ comparison between the effect of mental practice and isometric exercise on increasing maximal isometric grip muscle strength]

It is for many years that researchers are searching to find a way to treat muscular disorders including weakness and atrophy, which are consequences of the lack of movement. Therefore, clinicians are always waiting for a way to prevent these weakness and atrophy, especially when active movements are forbidden. In addition, there has always been a question whether muscle performance can be improved without performing any joint movements or muscle contractions. Studies have shown that mental practice can be a good answer for it. However, this effective, negligible risk and low cost method are not used by therapists. The present study was performed to compare the effects of mental practice and maximal Isometric exercise on increasing grip muscle strength. This study was carried out on 37 young healthy female [18-25 years old] who were randomly divided into mental practice, Isometric exercise and control group. The mental practice group performed imagined maximal isometric contraction of grip muscle for 3 weeks and the isometric exercise group performed maximal isometric contraction of some muscles, while the control group didn't perform any imagined or physical practice at the same period of time. The amount of maximal grip strength was determined by hydraulic hand dynamometer before and after training. Data analysis was carried out using paired t-tse. Performing mental practice and maximal isometric contraction produced a significant increase in isometric strength of grip muscles [p=0.000]. While the control group didn't show any significant changes [p = 0.453]. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the mental practice and the isometric contraction group. It is suggested that therapists combine this new method with the other common methods in their rehabilitation programs