The effectiveness of using Justica gengarussa Burm spray combined with education on knee pain in elderly osteoarthritis patients.

Abstract

      This study was a quasi-experimental, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of Justicia gendarussa Burm spray, with educational support about knee pain in elderly patients with osteoarthritis who were receiving traditional Thai medicine services at Public Health Center 1, Nong Khai Municipality. The sample comprised 62 elderly individuals who met the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group of 31 participants who received the Justicia gendarussa Burm spray along with self-care education, and a control group of 31 individuals who received a placebo spray combined with the same educational component. Data collection involved a personal information questionnaire, a pain assessment scale, and the Thai version of the Modified WOMAC Scale. Descriptive statistics, including frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were analyze general and health-related data. Differences in mean pain scores and functional abilities were assessed, with comparisons made between the two groups using an independent t-test at a significance level of 0.05.

      The results indicated that the majority of participants in both groups were female. The experimental group had a mean age of 69.68 years (S.D. = 6.18), whereas the control group had a mean age of 70.03 years (S.D. = 5.83). All participants reported experiencing knee pain and had previously received treatment through traditional Thai medicine, Most participants in both groups had been ill for 1-2 years, and the highest frequency of pain occurred 1-2 times per week. The symptoms was showed especially knee pain symptoms, crepitus sound during movement ,morning stiffness, warmth in the knee, tenderness, or deformity of both groups.

A significant reduction in pain scores was observed in the experimental group post-intervention, decreasing from 5.58 (S.D. = 0.80) to 2.67 (S.D. = 0.74). In contrast, the control group showed no significant change, with scores shifting from 5.67 (S.D. = 0.65) to 5.06 (S.D. = 0.51). Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in pain scores between the two groups after the intervention (P < .05). While no significant differences were noted in WOMAC domain scores prior to the intervention, significant differences emerged post-intervention (P < 0.05).