Both 60-min regimens (weekly or biweekly) demonstrated
significantly improved WOMAC global scores
(24.0 points, 95% CI varied from 15.3 to 32.7) compared
to usual care (6.3 points, 95% CI 0.1 to 12.8) at the primary
endpoint of 8 weeks. Further, the 60-min regimens
demonstrated significant improvements in WOMAC
subscales of pain and functionality, as well as the visual
analog pain scale compared to usual care. No significant
differences were seen in range of motion at 8 weeks, and
no significant effects were seen in any outcome measure
at 24 weeks compared to usual care. A dose–response
curve based on WOMAC global scores shows increasing
effect with greater total time of massage; with 60-min
doses scoring significantly better than 30-min doses.
No significant differences were seen in WOMAC
global scores between the 60-min doses (weekly or biweekly)
[39]