Abstract
Purpose:Core objectives of this pilot studywere 1) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of Swedish massage among Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare users with knee osteoarthritis (OA), and 2) to collect preliminary data on efficacy of Swedish massage in this patient group. Methods: A pre/post massage therapy intervention pilot study of twenty-five U.S. Veterans with symptomatic knee OA was conducted at Duke Integrative Medicine clinic facilities in Durham, NC. Participants received eight weekly one-hour sessions of full-bodySwedishmassage. PrimaryOutcome Measures: Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and global pain (visual analog scale: VAS). Secondary Outcome Measures: NIH’s Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Pain Interference Questionnaire 6b (PROMIS-PI 6b), 12-Item ShortForm Health Survey (SF-12® v1) and the EuroQol health status index (EQ-5D-5L), knee range of motion (ROM), and time to walk fifty feet. Results: Study feasibility was established by a 92% retention rate with 99% of massage visits and 100% of research visits completed. Results showed significant improvements in self-reported OA-related pain, stiffness and function (30% improvement in Global WOMAC scores, p = 0.001) and knee pain over the past seven days (36% improvement in VAS, p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in PROMISPI, EQ-5D-5L, and physical composite score of the SF-12® (all p’s< .01), while the mental composite score of the SF-12® and knee ROM showed trends toward significant improvement. Time to walk fifty feet did not significantly improve. Conclusion: In addition to offering support for the feasibility and acceptability of Swedish massage among VA healthcare users, these results provide preliminary data suggesting its efficacy for improving overall health and quality of life for massage recipients, in addition to pain relief. If results are confirmed in a larger randomized trial, massage could be an important component of regular care for these patients. Contact: Kristin Jerger, kristin.jerger@duke.edu
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