The effects of mud pack therapy versus hot pack treatment to improve functionality and decrease pain in older adults suffering with knee osteoarthritis

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to examine the effects of mud pack therapy versus hot pack treatment to improve functionality and decrease pain in older adults suffering with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Studies were analyzed to compare the increase in function and decrease in pain with the use of mud pack therapy and hot pack treatment. The studies were meta-analyzed to determine the novel intervention’s effect size and homogeneity. Results: Four studies were included in this meta-analysis. A medium effect size was determined to improve function and decrease pain with the use of mud pack therapy. Homogeneity was noted among the studies for function, while studies were heterogeneous regarding the effects of pain in older adults suffering with knee osteoarthritis. Conclusion: This meta-analysis concludes mud pack therapy has a greater treatment effect size to increase functionality and decrease pain in older adults suffering with knee osteoarthritis compared to hot pack treatment. Study Design: A meta-analysis of random control trial studies observing the effects of mud pack therapy versus hot pack treatment to increase functionality and decrease pain in older adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis.