Effect of Persian acupressure (Ghamz) on Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Single-Blinded Parallel Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Many patients choose complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to treat various conditions. Among osteoarthritis patients, acupressure is a popular CAM treatment. In Iran, Ghamz (a Persian acupressure technique) uses for musculoskeletal ailments like knee pain.

Aims: To examine the potential efficacy of Ghamz on osteoarthritis outcomes.

Design: Clinical Trial.

Settings: Randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Participants/subjects: Eighty patients with diagnosed knee osteoarthritis, age over 35 years old.

Methods: Eighty adult patients with confirmed knee osteoarthritis from three outpatient clinics were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned either to intervention or placebo groups using sham acupressure. The primary outcomes included Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) parameters and pain scores measured using the visual analog scales (VAS).

Results: Seventy-two individuals completed the trial and were included in the analysis. At baseline, there was no difference between the mean scores of both outcomes. After the intervention, the group receiving Ghamz therapy experienced an improvement in KOOS parameters, including symptoms, pain, activity daily livings, sport, recreation function, and quality of life. The mean pain score in the intervention group was significantly decreased from 5.89 at the beginning study to 4.11 at the end of the study, while the pain score did not change substantially in the sham group. These findings remained consistent after adjusting for covariates of age, weight, and pre-treatment.

Conclusions: This study supports evidence that Ghamz therapy provides an effective option for short-term knee pain relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Additional studies are recommended to confirm these findings.