Effectiveness of Physiotherapy vs. Pharmacological Interventions in Managing Osteoarthritis – A Meta-analysis of Rehabilitation vs. Medication Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/89357b86Keywords:
: Meta-Analysis, Osteoarthritis, Physiotherapy, Pharmacological Treatment, Pain Management, Randomized Controlled TrialsAbstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that significantly impairs mobility and quality
of life. While pharmacological therapies such as NSAIDs are commonly prescribed for symptom relief, they are
associated with adverse effects, particularly with long-term use. Physiotherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention, is
widely endorsed in clinical guidelines but remains underutilized. Current literature presents mixed findings regarding its
comparative efficacy, necessitating a meta-analysis to synthesize available evidence and guide clinical practice.
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References
Naja M, De Grado GF, Favreau H, Scipioni D, Benkirane-Jessel N, Musset A-M, et al. Comparative effectiveness of nonsurgical interventions in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a PRISMA-compliant systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medicine. 2021;100(49):e28067.
Weng Q, Goh S-L, Wu J, Persson MS, Wei J, Sarmanova A, et al. Comparative efficacy of exercise therapy and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol for knee or hip osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British journal of sports medicine.
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