title: The effect of heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of local heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Local heat application is used as a non-pharmacological practice for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. On the other hand, literature reveals limited information on the effects of heat application.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups (23 patients in each) as intervention and control groups, and patients in the control group were applied with the routine medication of the physician. The intervention group received 20-minute heat application every other day for four weeks in addition to the routine medication. The data were collected using data collection form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index and SF-36.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities disability scores of the patients with knee osteoarthritis in control and intervention groups before and after the intervention were compared, and the differences for both scores in the change were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Moreover, statistically significant differences were found between the control and intervention group patients in terms of changes in the scores for physical function, pain and general health perception (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was found that heat application every other day decreased pain and disability of the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Also, heat application was found to improve the subdimensions of quality of life scores of physical function, pain and general health perception of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data obtained in this study on the efficiency of heat application on pain, stiffness, physical function and general health perception of patients with knee osteoarthritis may offer an insight into decision-making process for appropriate intervention.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Midwifery Department, Cumhuriyet University, 58140, Sivas, Turkey. yildirim.nurcan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nurcan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Mehlika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filiz Ulusoy
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bodur
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014421:Turkey