The effect of Topical Application of Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Alleviating Knee Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: a Pilot Study AlMalty Abdul-Majeed*, Hamed Saja, AbuTariah Hashem, Jebril Mohammad Assistant Professor, Physical and Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Hashemite University *Corresponding author: Abdul-Majeed Almalty, Assistant Professor, Physical and Occupational Therapy Department, Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330018, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan. Tel:(+962) (5) 3903333, Ext. 5411. E-mail: abedmalty@hu.edu.jo
Online published on 29 July, 2013. Abstract Objective To investigate and compare the effect of topical application of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the pain of osteoarthritic knee (s) with the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Participants A convenient sample of thirty patients with knee(s) osteoarthritis (16 females and 14 males) were randomly assigned to three groups; Group A (n=10) treated with topical application of EVOO and exercise, group B (n=10) received topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketoprofen gel) over the knee(s) and exercise, and group C received therapeutic exercise only. Method Treatment was carried out in physical therapy outpatient clinic for 5 days a week for two weeks. Group A received topical EVOO (3ml) and group B received topical ketoprofen gel (3 cm2) three times a day followed by therapeutic exercise. Group C received therapeutic exercise only three times a day. Pain visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMC) universities index measurement were taken at baseline and after two weeks of treatment. Results All groups showed significant improvement (p<0.001) in VAS and WOMC index after two weeks of treatment compared to the baseline. Group comparison showed no significant difference in both scales between groups A and B (p>0.05), however, both groups significantly experienced less pain than group C (p<0.001). Conclusion Topical application of EVOO showed to be effective in alleviating the symptoms of patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis compared to topical application of NSAID. Top Keywords Physical Therapy, Osteoarthritis, Olive Oil, Knee Pain, NSAID, ketoprofen. Top |