Exploring Massage Benefits for Arthritis of the Knee

Summary

In 2004, we conducted a pilot randomized, wait list controlled, trial (RCT) of massage therapy for OA of the knee in 68 subjects. That study, supported by CDC grant SIP-14-00, revealed the potential efficacy of Swedish massage therapy in the treatment of OA of the knee, with benefits of increased function and decreased pain persisting at least eight weeks following treatment cessation. The results of that trial, the first RCT of massage for OA, were published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006 (See reference in More Information section). This current project builds on the design and findings of the pilot trial to determine the optimal dose and treatment regimen and provide longer term follow up. This project is a dual-site, randomized, dose-ranging trial to compare four dose/regimens in order to identify the optimal protocol for clinical practice.

The primary study hypothesis is that an eight (8) week course of Swedish massage therapy of one of the four proposed doses (by frequency and duration of massage treatment session) will be effective in reducing pain and improving function in patients with confirmed OA of the knee.

Conditions

• Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Interventions

OTHER

Massage 30 min 2x/wk x4 wks then 1x/wk x4 wks

Swedish massage session of 30 minutes duration, twice weekly for four weeks followed by once weekly for four weeks over a eight (8) week period. Total intervention = 12 sessions for 360 minutes.

OTHER

Massage 60 min 2x/wk for 4 wks then 1x/wk for 4 wks

Swedish massage session of 60 minutes duration, twice weekly for four weeks followed by once weekly for four weeks over a eight (8) week period. Total intervention = 12 sessions for 720 minutes.

OTHER

Massage 30 min sessions 1x/wk for 8 wks

Swedish massage session of 30 minutes duration, once weekly for eight weeks over a eight (8) week period. Total intervention = 8 sessions for 240 minutes.

OTHER

Massage 60 min session 1x/wk for 8 wks

Swedish massage session of 60 minutes duration, once weekly for eight weeks over a eight (8) week period. Total intervention = 8 sessions for 480 minutes

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yale University

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Adam I Perlman, MD, MPH · University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2009-09-30

Primary Completion

2011-07-31

Completion

2011-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations