| Summary: | [Purpose] This study investigated the effectiveness of a class- and home-based exercise
with massage between Thai traditional and standardized physical therapy (TPT and SPT) in
older people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one subjects
with KOA (aged 50–85 years) in two selected villages were randomly assigned into the TPT
or SPT programs. Seventeen TPT subjects received Thai exercise with traditional massage,
and 14 SPT individuals performed strengthening exercise with Swedish massage. Both
programs consisted of a class with supervision plus home self-care for 8 weeks; the
subjects then managed home self-care for 1 year. [Results] After 2 months, the six-minute
walk test (6MWT), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and
SF-36 testing showed significant improvement in both groups, but the improvement of the
TPT group was greater. After 1year, only the score for the 6MWT was greater in the TPT
group than in the SPT group. [Conclusion] The TPT program yielded better results for the
6MWT, but, both programs had beneficial effects on the pain, function, and QOL of
middle-aged and older patients with KOA in the community setting.
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