Integrative Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique and Muscle Energy Technique for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70672/mec0kk91Keywords:
Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique, Muscle Energy Technique, Knee Osteoarthritis, Pain, Range of Motion, Functional ImprovementAbstract
Background: Integrative Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique (LAST) and Muscle Energy Technique (MET) for managing pain, function, and range of motion (ROM) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were examined in a pilot study designed to assess the effect size of the intervention. Methods: This was a pre-and post-intervention study involving twenty-eight participants with mild to moderate KOA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades II-III). The intervention included eight sessions over 4 weeks, combining LAST (which focuses on joint and ligamentous structure) and MET (which focuses on muscle action and relaxation). VAS for pain, KOOS, and goniometric measurement of ROM were tracked. The data were interpreted using Friedman test (α = 0.05). Results: Participants demonstrated significant improvements in VAS pain scores (pre 6.8 ± 1.2 vs. post 3.1 ± 1.5, P < 0.001), and KOOS subscores (pain, symptoms, level of activities performed, and quality of life; all P < 0.05). Statistical significance was also recorded for improvements in knee flexion ROM by 15.3° ± 4.2° (P = 0.002). Conclusion: In patients with KOA, a four-week integrative LAST and MET intervention resulted in meaningful clinically advantageous improvements for pain, function, and ROM. Despite limitations on sample size, these data suggest promise in combined manual therapy approaches for KOA, and further larger randomized trials are needed.
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