EFFECTS OF HEAT AND COLD THERAPY ON KNEE PAIN IN AMONG FEMALES WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

http://doi.org/10.46536/jpumhs/2024/14.02.512

Abstract

causing inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage. With a global prevalence of approximately 1%,
rheumatoid arthritis places a considerable burden on individuals and healthcare systems alike. So aimed to
evaluate the effectiveness of hot pack and cold pack therapies in managing pain among female patients with RA.
METHODS: A total of 34 participants were randomly assigned to either Group A (hot pack therapy) or Group B
(cold pack therapy). The primary outcome measure was pain, assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale
(NPRS). Pain scores were recorded before and after the treatment sessions. Data was analyzed through SPSS 20
version. RESULTS: Both hot pack and cold pack therapies led to a significant reduction in pain scores within
their respective groups. Group A showed a mean NPRS score decrease of 1.17 after treatment, while Group B
experienced a remarkable mean decrease of 4.41. Between-group comparison indicated that cold pack therapy
was more effective in achieving pain relief compared to hot pack therapy. The mean difference in NPRS scores
between Group A and Group B after treatment was 2.82. CONCLUSIONS: Both hot pack and cold pack therapies
are effective in reducing pain in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. However, cold pack therapy
appears to be more effective in achieving greater pain relief compared to hot pack therapy. The study demonstrates
the potential benefits of incorporating non-pharmacological approaches, such as hot and cold therapy, into pain
management strategies for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.