Immediate Effect of Mobilization with Movement on Squat Self-reported Functional Ability, Pain Intensity, and Pain-free Range of Motion in People with Knee Osteoarthritis

Immediate Effect of Mobilization with Movement on Squat Self-reported Functional Ability, Pain Intensity, and Pain-free Range of Motion in People with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Mobilization with movement (MWM) appears to reduce pain, improve knee range of motion, and enhance physical functioning in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, it remains unclear whether the severity grading of structural damage in KOA affects its effects. This study aims to analyze the immediate effect of MWM on squat self-reported functional ability, pain intensity, and pain-free range of motion in people with KOA, and to verify it its effect is influenced by the severity grading of structural damage.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male or female;
• aged over 45 years;
• clinically diagnosed with symptomatic unilateral KOA, classified as grade 1-3 according to the Kellgren and Lawrence system;
• fulfilled the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for KOA;
• reported frequent episodes of pain in the knee joint during sit-to-stand movements for at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• had KOA secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory and autoimmune conditions;
• reported lumbar pain radiating to the knee or lumbar pain as the primary complaint;
• had a history of knee or lower limb surgery;
• had a systemic or local infection;
• had received an intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection within the past 6 months;
• reported current or past (within 4 weeks) oral corticosteroid use;
• had any condition in the lower limbs that would prevent performing the deep squat test;
• had clinical conditions in which manual therapy is generally contraindicated (such as fracture, osteoporosis, instability, infectious arthritis, tumors, joint ankylosis, acute inflammatory disorders, or lack of a diagnosed joint lesion).