Effect of Acupressure Therapy and Conventional Physiotherapy Exercises vs Conventional Physiotherapy Exercises after 4 weeks on Pain, Stiffness and Physical Function in Patients of Knee Osteoarthritis between 50-65 years of Age

Purpose: Previous studies have shown physiotherapy exercises led to improvement in stiffness and physical function, while acupressure acted better on pain. The need of current study is to find out the additive effect of acupressure therapy when used with conventional physiotherapy. Methodology: A Quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 chronic knee pain patients in Pune. The subjects in experimental group received acupressure therapy and conventional physiotherapy exercises and subjects in control group received conventional physiotherapy exercises for 4 weeks (thrice a week supervised). Outcomes were assessed twice i.e., at baseline and at the end of 4 weeks. Means for outcomes were compared. Results: Statistically significant improvement was observed in the values within experimental group (p value:<0.0001*-NPRS and <0.0001*-WOMAC) as well as within control group (p value:<0.0001-NPRS and <0.0001-WOMAC). The mean difference between the values between control and experimental group did not show statistical significance (p value: 0.560-NPRS and 0.442-WOMAC). Clinically significant improvement was observed in stiffness in experimental group. Conclusion: The effect of acupressure therapy when used along with conventional physiotherapy exercises does not show any added effect on pain, stiffness and physical function. Key words: Magnet therapy, Strengthening exercise, WOMAC, Knee pain.