Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA), a major health problem, is the most common chronic degenerative joint disorders. It is characterized by increasing joint pain, stiffness and limitations in range of motion (ROM). Purpose: To compare the effect of reflexology with TENS on pain intensity level, functional disability and knee flexion and extension ROM in knee OA. Subjects: 75 participants diagnosed as grade II or III unilateral chronic knee OA participated in the study, their age ranged from 45 to 65 years. The participants were randomly assigned into three groups. Each group was consisted of 25 participants. Methods: Group (A) Experimental group; received reflexology and conventional physical therapy treatment, group (B) Experimental group; received TENS and conventional physical therapy treatment, and group (C) control group; received conventional physical therapy treatment. The treatment was conducted 3 sessions/week for four weeks. Pain intensity, functional disability level and knee flexion and extension ROM were measured pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there was significant difference in improvement of Pain intensity, functional disability level and knee flexion and extension ROM in knee OA (p<0.05) in favor of group (B) than group (A) and group (C)

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