Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Author Spotlight: Treating Knee Osteoarthritis with Tuina - A New Perspective
Published on: January 12, 2024
Knee arthritis pain is reduced and range of motion is increased following moderate pressure massage therapy
Tiffany Field1, Miguel Diego2, Gladys Gonzalez2
1University of Miami School of Medicine, USA; Fielding Graduate University, USA.
Background:
The literature on massage therapy effects on knee pain suggests that pain was reduced based on self-report, but little is known about range of motion (ROM) effects.
Methods:
Medical School staff and faculty who had knee arthritis pain were randomly assigned to a moderate pressure massage therapy or a waitlist control group (24 per group). Self-reports included the WOMAC (pain, stiffness and function) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. ROM and ROM-related pain were assessed before and after the last sessions.
Results:
The massage group showed an immediate post-massage increase in ROM and a decrease in ROM-associated pain. On the last versus the first day of the study, the massage group showed greater increases in ROM and decreases in ROM-related pain as well as less self-reported pain and sleep disturbances than the waitlist control group.
Discussion:
These data highlight the effectiveness of moderate pressure massage therapy for increasing ROM and lessening ROM-related pain and long-term pain and sleep disturbances.
