5. Conclusion
TM, THC, and oral ibuprofen caused a significant improvement of all variables determined for outcome assessments. All modalities provided nearly comparable clinical efficacy after a three-week symptomatic treatment of OA of the knee, in which a trend toward greatest improvement was likely to be found in THC group. TM and THC were generally safe and free from systemic adverse effects. Both modalities could be therefore considered as effective alternative options for treatment of OA of the knee, especially in individuals who do not wish to receive oral NSAIDs or who experienced systemic unwanted effects from oral NSAIDs.
Conflict of Interests
Natthakarn Chiranthanut and Supanimit Teekachunhatean were members of the working group that developed Suandok massage. Supanimit Teekachunhatean also involves in conducting of a nonprofit training course of Suandok massage held by Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. All authors do not have a direct financial relation with the commercial identities mentioned in the paper.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. The authors are grateful for the editorial assistance of Ruth Leatherman, an English language consultant under contract with the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. The authors would also like to acknowledge Chiang Mai Provincial Public Health Office for providing Thai herbal compress balls used in this study. Acknowledgments are also extended to Ms. Sujitra Techatoei for her assistance on performing statistical analysis and secretarial work.