Effects of an 8-Week Exercise and Manual Therapy Programme Versus Exercise Alone on Knee Pain and Joint Function in Postmenopausal Women With Knee Osteoarthritis

Background. The main cause of pain and functional impairment in postmenopausal women is knee osteoarthritis (KOA), which affects quality of life and reduces mobility. This research seeks to assess and contrast the impact of a combination of exercise and manual therapy against exercise on its own in relation to knee pain and functional out­comes in postmenopausal women with KOA. The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of exercise alone on knee pain and joint function, to determine the outcomes of exercise combined with manual therapy and compare the effectiveness of these two interventions in postmenopausal women with KOA. It is hypothesised that exercise com­bined with manual therapy would be more effective than exercise alone. Aim. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of exercise and manual therapy versus exercise alone on knee pain and functional outcomes in postmenopausal women with KOA. Methods. This randomised controlled trial recruited 40 participants divided into two equal groups. Both groups fol­lowed an eight-week physiotherapy programme, while one group also received manual therapy techniques. Pain (Visual Analogue Scale), joint function (WOMAC), range of motion (goniometry), and physical performance (Timed Up and Go Test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results. The findings indicated that both treatment methods notably alleviated pain and enhanced overall mobility. The combination of exercise and manual therapy resulted in more substantial positive changes in pain relief, range of motion, and functional mobility in comparison to exercise by itself. Nonetheless, there was no notable difference between the groups in joint function as assessed by the WOMAC. Conclusions. Incorporating manual therapy into physiotherapy exercises can enhance the effectiveness of treatment for postmenopausal women suffering from KOA. Keywords: knee osteoarthritis; postmenopausal women; exercise therapy; manual therapy; joint function