Comparative effectiveness of Tuina therapy versus manual physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

研究概要

One hundred forty patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III) were randomized to receive either Tuina therapy (n=70) or manual physical therapy (mPT) (n=70), each administered in eight 20-minute sessions over three weeks. The primary outcome was the change in total WOMAC score from baseline to week 4. Secondary outcomes included WOMAC subscales, knee pain measures (NRS), performance-based tests (Timed Up and Go, Chair Rise, One Leg Standing), QoL measures (SF-12, PGA), and adverse events. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, weeks 4, 8, and 16. Overall, the results of the study revealed no statistically significant difference in WOMAC scores between Tuina and mPT at week 4, but Tuina showed greater improvement at week 8. Tuina and mPT had similar safety profiles, and both were associated with clinically relevant improvements. These findings suggest that Tuina is comparably effective to mPT in the short-term management of knee osteoarthritis.