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The Effect of Single-Session Stimulating Massage on the Knee Joint Position Sense in Healthy Older Adult Men: A
Mahmood Akramzadeh1, Seyed Majid Hosseini1, Minoo Khalkhali Zavieh1
1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
Background:
Proprioception is critical for older adults to maintain their balance and prevent falling. However, massage is a convenient intervention that its beneficial effect on the proprioception is suggested.
Purpose:
This study aimed to determine whether one session of stimulating massage of the muscles around the knee joint improves position sense in older adult men.
Methods:
Twenty healthy older adults participated in this blind, randomized, crossover trial. The two treatment phases were massage and rest. The washout period between interventions was a 1-week interval. The massage protocol was as follows: deep effleurage, petrissage, and tapotement for 5 minutes for the anterior (tensor fascia lata, quadriceps, sartorius, and gracilis) and posterior (hamstrings) muscles of the knee (10 minutes in total).
Results:
Outcome measures were absolute, constant, and variable errors (AE, CE, and VE). Participants were assessed immediately before and after the intervention by a blinded investigator. Independent t-tests were used for statistical analyses. Massage reduced absolute error (2.77°, p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
The finding of this study confirms the beneficial impact of the massage on the joint position sense in healthy older adult men.
