Safety and Effects of Thai Yoga as an adjuvant therapy in Osteoarthritis of Knees

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to study the safety, and the effect of Rue Si Dad Ton (Thai Hermit Exercise) toward the treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. The data collected were analyzed by 35-65 years-old males and females from Phanatnikhom Hospital, Chonburi, who had got Osteoarthritis of the Knee. These samples were separated into an experimental group and a control group of 30 people. The experimental group received aspirin in combination with Rue Si Dad ton, on the other hand, the control group received aspirin in combination with physical exercises. The treatment was followed up one time per two weeks within four weeks. The pain score was measured before and after treatment by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of Wong-Bake. The effectiveness of the knee joint was evaluated by (WOMAC Score). Moreover, the effectiveness of knee joint movement and rotation was evaluated by a goniometer. The study has proceeded throughout arithmetic mean, percentile, standard deviation, paired-test, and independent-test. The result of the study reveals that 1) the arithmetic mean of pain score in both groups after treatment is lower with the greater degree of knee extension, which showed a statistical significance (p<0.05) 2) Majorly the side-effects were not found excepted the muscle pain due to the exercise, which does not cause any harm. 3) the comparison between groups shows a difference in statistical significance (p<0.05) in two main points; the sore of the outer knee in the experimental group is relieved better than in the control group. Therefore, Rue Si Dad Ton is appropriate for Osteoarthritis of knee treatment.