Effect of Partial Massage Combined with Infrared Radiation on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pre–Post Interventional Study

Sandeep S.; Priyanka R.

Effect of Partial Massage Combined with Infrared Radiation on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pre–Post Interventional Study

Author(s)	Dr. Sandeep S., Priyanka R.
Country	India
Abstract	Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability. Non-pharmacological modalities such as therapeutic massage and infrared (IR) radiation are used in naturopathic practice to reduce pain and improve function, but short-course combined protocols require further evaluation. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of partial massage combined with infrared radiation on pain and functional outcomes in subjects with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: A single-group pre–post pilot study was conducted on 10 female participants (mean age 52.9 ± 5.4 years) with mild to moderate KOA at GNCYMC&H, Mysore. Participants received partial massage with infrared radiation daily for 10 days. Outcomes were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), assessed on Day 1 and Day 10. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and paired t-tests; effect sizes were expressed as Cohen’s d. Results: Highly significant improvements were observed in pain and WOMAC symptom scores. VAS decreased from 4.10 ± 0.74 to 2.20 ± 0.63 (Δ −1.90, p = 0.002, d = −3.35). WOMAC decreased from 52.70 ± 5.70 to 42.40 ± 6.19 (Δ −10.30, p = 0.002, d = −5.83). KOOS changed from 62.00 ± 8.18 to 55.50 ± 7.40 (Δ −6.50, p = 0.002); interpretation of KOOS direction requires confirmation of the scoring convention used. All 10 participants improved on VAS and WOMAC. Conclusion: Partial massage combined with infrared radiation over 10 days was associated with statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in pain and WOMAC symptom burden in women with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Larger controlled trials with standardised outcome scoring and range-of-motion measurement are warranted.
Keywords	Knee osteoarthritis; Partial massage; Infrared radiation; VAS; WOMAC; KOOS; Naturopathy; Pre–post study
Field	Medical / Pharmacy
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-09-12

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Effect of Partial Massage Combined with Infrared Radiation on Pain and Functional Outcomes in Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pre–Post Interventional Study

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