Highlights
- Warm water immersion significantly reduced pain and joint stiffness.
- Benefits were observed in patients with knee osteoarthritis following chronic stroke.
- The intervention was simple, safe, and non-invasive.
- Functional improvements were measured using a validated clinical index.
Study Design
This randomized clinical study included 44 patients with chronic stroke and knee osteoarthritis. Participants were randomly assigned to a whirlpool group (n=24) or a control group (n=20). The intervention group immersed their lower extremities in a warm whirlpool bath at 40 °C for 40 minutes, five times per week, over an eight-week period. The control group continued their usual daily activities. Pain and stiffness were assessed before and after the intervention using the pain and stiffness subscales of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC).
What Did They Find?
Following the intervention, the whirlpool group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in WOMAC pain scores and stiffness indices. No comparable improvements were observed in the control group, indicating that the observed benefits were attributable to the warm whirlpool bath therapy.
Why It Matters
These findings support the use of warm whirlpool bath therapy as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for managing pain and stiffness in patients with chronic stroke-induced knee osteoarthritis. Incorporating this approach into rehabilitation programs may enhance patient comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life.
Values represent mean WOMAC scores before and after the intervention.
Reference: Lim KO, Lee DY, Shin WS. The effects of a warm whirlpool bath on pain and stiffness of patients with chronic stroke induced knee osteoarthritis. J Phys Ther Sci. 2013;25(7):873-875. doi:10.1589/jpts.25.873
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