Manual therapy effectively decreases the frequency of joint bleeding improves joint health and reduces pain in hemophilic elbow arthropathy: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To verify the safety and effectiveness of manual therapy intervention using fascial therapy in adult patients with haemophilic elbow arthropathy. Methods: Prospective cohort study. A total of 28 patients with haemophilic elbow arthropathy was recruited in 3 cities in Spain. Patients received onefascial therapy session per week for 3 weeks. The dependent variables were: frequency of joint bleeding, joint pain (visual analogue score) and joint status (Hemophilia Joint Health Score). Outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1) and after 3 months' follow-up (T2). Using Student's t-test, the means obtained in the evaluations were compared. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) test of repeated measures provided the intra-subject effect. The chosen level of significance was p < 0.05. Results: A total of 28 patients were recruited according to the selection criteria. No joint bleeding occurred during or after the intervention. The primary outcome, frequency of bleeding, improved after intervention (p <0.001). The secondary variables joint status and joint pain improved after the experimental period (p <0.001). There were significant changes in the repeated measures factor in the frequency of haemarthrosis (F = 20.61; p = 0.00), joint status (F = 64.11; p = 0.00) and perceived pain (F = 33.15; p = 0.00). Conclusion: Manual therapy using fascial therapy did not produce haemarthrosis in patients with haemophilic elbow arthropathy. Fascial therapy can improve the perception of pain and joint state,

The effects of manual therapy and exercises on pain, muscle strength, joint health, functionality and quality of life in haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow joint: A randomized controlled pilot study

“…Although the use of manual therapy in haemophilia is increasing, most of the studies have focused on the lower extremities with regard to mobility 7‐11 . The limited number of studies on manual therapy of the elbow joint has found in the literature 4,12,13 . However, with the increase in life expectancy of haemophilia patients, labour force participation, upper limb functionality and independent daily life have become current issues, and elbow is one of the main joints for these.…”

“…[7][8][9][10][11] The limited number of studies on manual therapy of the elbow joint has found in the literature. 4,12,13 However, with the increase in life expectancy of haemophilia patients, labour force participation, upper limb functionality and independent daily life have become current issues, and elbow is one of the main joints for these. In addition, the elbow joint may prone to complications such as heterotopic ossification and stiffness.…”