Effectiveness of Mechanical Hydrotherapy on Pain Management among Patients with Arthritis Pain

Introduction: Hydrotherapy is a warm water therapy used in relieving pain such as muscle pain, back pain and inflammation associated with the arthritis pain. In arthritic condition hydrotherapy helps to improving blood circulation. It is commonly used for treating muscle injuries and stroke and brain injuries.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of mechanical hydrotherapy on pain management among patients with arthritis pain.

Materials and Methods: In this study a quantitative research approach with an experimental pre-test post-test research design was used for the present study. Purposive sampling was the sampling method used to collect data from arthritis patients on the basis of standardized numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). The sample size was 70, for experimental group 35 samples and control group was 35 samples. For experimental group the mechanical hydrotherapy was given along with prescribed medicines and for control group only prescribed medicine was monitored.

Results: The majority of participants were male 41 (58.57%) and female 29 (41.43%) as compared to male. In experimental group male were 22 (62.85%) and female were 13 (37.15%) and in control group male were19 (54.28%) and female were 16 (45.72%). Before intervention on day-1 pre assessment pain mean value was 7.51 and standard deviation was 1.46 in experimental group and In control group mean value was 7.91 and standard deviation was 1.12. On day-7 post assessment pain the outcome of an experimental group after mechanical hydrotherapy with reducing pain, mean value was1.80 and standard deviation was 1.07 and in control group mean value was 7.97 and 1.27. Statistically significant improvement seen in the level of pain regarding effectiveness of mechanical hydrotherapy on pain management among patients with arthritis pain.

Conclusion: Hence it is statistically clear that, the mechanical hydrotherapy to arthritis patients is helpful in managing the pain effectively.