Manual therapy has proven to be a benefit in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA), but the effects of the
method of Mulligan's mobilization with movement (MWM) have yet to be explored in knee OA. As a first step, this
case series investigated MWM's immediate and short-term benefits over three occasions of treatment in 19
patients with knee OA. Patients (71.1 ± SD 13.9 years, 14 females and 5 males) received individually prescribed
MWM and performed self-MWM. Outcome measures included: 1) pain intensity (visual analog scales) during
walking, ascending and descending stairs, and sit-to-stand; 2) passive flexion and extension range of motion
(ROM); and 3) Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS-ADLS). Pain and ROM were
assessed at baseline, after the initial treatment, before the second treatment and at exit following the fourth consultation. The KOS-ADLS was assessed at baseline and at exit. Significant improvements from baseline were
detected in flexion ROM and pain scores in all tasks following the initial treatment (P < 0.05/3). The KOS-
ADLS score improved significantly from baseline (67.1%± SD 16.6%) to exit (86.3%± SD 12.6%) (P < 0.001).
MWM was associated with immediate pain relief and improved knee function, suggesting its potential as a component of early management of knee OA.