Effectiveness of contrast hydrotherapy on knee pain among osteoarthritis patients

Abstract

Many patients with osteoarthritis experiences knee pain, but if untreated, it may lead to chronic knee pain. This may quietly limit the functional abilities and impairs the quality of life. Thus the study was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of contrast hydrotherapy on knee pain. Quasi-experimental research design was adopted with 30 samples who met the inclusion criteria. Samples were assigned into experimental and control group by convenience sampling technique. A pre-test was conducted by using Numerical pain rating scale in both experimental and control group. Contrast hydrotherapy was administered to the experimental group, and the control group was continued with the routine practice. Post-test was conducted after 7 days with the same tool for both the group. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The study findings revealed that contrast hydrotherapy was effective in reducing the level of knee pain at the level of p<0.05 in the experimental group. Contrast hydrotherapy is inexpensive, safer method, does not cost the time, reduce the risk pharmacological intervention and can be affordable by all the participants. This therapy may be recommended in both clinical and community setting to reduce the pain, thereby improves the quality of life.