The effect of group therapy in knee osteoarthritis patients.

ABSTRACT

The effects of group therapy on the symptoms and the walking abilities of knee osteoarthritis patients were studied at the out-patient Department, Siriraj Hospital from July 1994 to March 1995. Total of 55 patients participated 25 patients (2 males, 23 females) in the control group and 30 patients (3 males, 27 females) in the study group with mean ages of 68 and 67.5 years respectively. The study group was given education about the disease and how to take care of their knees at home. After treatment, the study group recorded a lower pain score and a higher level walking and stair climbing ability compared to the control group at p level 0.0005, 0.0002, 0.0004. Most of the cases in the study group were satisfied with the group therapy (good to excellent levels). It was concluded that group therapy could provide one of the best way of teaching patents to take care of themselves at home and to decrease the time spent by medical personnel in patient management.