The Effects of Ginger Kidney Compress on Severity of Pain and Physical Functions of Individuals with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted in order to determine the effect of ginger kidney compress applied to the waist region for 30 minutes for seven days on the severity of pain and physical functions of individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Material-Method: This is a randomized controlled trial study. The sample included 124 patients; 43 ginger kidney compresses, 41 hot compresses, and 40 control groups. The data were collected using Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS)–Pain, and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. The forms were administered at the beginning (first followup) and at the end (7 day, second follow-up) of intervention. The intervention-I group received a ginger kidney compress while intervention-II group received a hot compress and the control group received no intervention. Results: In the first follow-up, there was no difference between the scores of the groups included in the study (p > 0.05), which were obtained from the VAS-Pain and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. In the second follow-up, a significant difference between the scores of the groups obtained from the VAS-Pain and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Indexes (p<0.001) was detected. According to the initial follow-ups, the scores of the individuals in the ginger kidney compress group at the final follow-up decreased significantly from the VAS-Pain and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index compared to the individuals in the hot compress and the control group ( p<0.001). Conclusion: It has been determined that the application of ginger kidney compress is more effective than hot compress application and that it decreases the VAS-Pain and WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index scores.