The Effectiveness of Using Cold Herbal Compress for Knee Pain in Nakhon Chum Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province,Thailand

Abstract

The study on the use of cold herbal poultices for knee treatment aimed to investigate the effectiveness and satisfaction of using cold herbal poultices in individuals with knee pain. The research was a quasi -experimental study with a one -group pretest-posttest design, conducted with a sample of 31 participants. The research instrument used was a data recording form. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, knee range of motion, pain levels, and the Friedman test. After the first application of the herbal poultice, the knee range of motion was 38.4 degrees ± 2.23, and after the second application, it was 38.8 degrees ± 2.23. The Friedman test showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons using the Durbin-Conover method revealed a statistically significant difference in the range of moti on before and after applying the cold herbal poultice in both the first and second sessions (p < 0.001). Additionally, the analysis of the average pain levels showed that before using the herbal poultice, the pain level was 3 .96 ± 0 .892, after the first ap plication, it was 2 .79 ± 1 .15, and after the second application, it was 1 .02 ± 1 .10. Pairwise comparisons indicated a statistically significant reduction in pain levels after both the first and second applications of the herbal poultice (p < 0.001). Therefore, the use of cold herbal poultices has been shown to effectively reduce knee pain, improve range of motion, and is considered safe.