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Evidence summaries

Thermotherapy for Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Local cold may improve function of the knee joint in osteoarthritis Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review (abstract , review [Abstract]) included 3 studies with a total of 179 patients. In one trial (n=100, 25 receiving ice massage), ice massage compared to control had a statistically beneficial effect on range of motion (8% relative difference), function and knee strength (29% relative difference). In another trial, cold packs decreased swelling. Hot packs had no beneficial effect on edema compared with placebo or cold application.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (inadequate or unclear allocation concealment) and by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals).

    References

    • Brosseau L, Yonge KA, Robinson V, Marchand S, Judd M, Wells G, Tugwell P. Thermotherapy for treatment of osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(4):CD004522. [PubMed]