title: A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intermittent and continuous traction for patients with knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of intermittent and continuous traction in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, controlled, observer-blind seven-week trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital-based outpatient practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-eight patients with stage 3 knee osteoarthritis according to Kellgren-Lawrence radiological rating scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  All 98 patients were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, for three weeks (weekends excluded). The control group (n=30, mean age: 59.30±8.16) received hot pack and short wave diathermy; the intermittent group (n=30, mean age: 58.20±7.78) received hot pack, short wave diathermy and intermittent traction; and the continuous group (n=30, mean age: 57.97±9.53) received hot pack, short wave diathermy and continuous traction.
  
  
  METHODS
  The values of the Turkish version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale, and knee passive range of motion were measured at baseline, three-week and seven-week follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with baseline at weeks 3 and 7, all the outcome measures, except range of motion, were significantly reduced in all groups (all P≤0.001). In terms of the change data from baseline to week 3, both traction groups were significantly superior to the control in the WOMAC physical function scores. Considering the change data from baseline to week 7, both traction groups were significantly superior to the control in the pain scores, physical function and total scores, while only the continuous group was significantly better than the control in the stiffness scores (control: 1.17 ± 1.64; continuous: 2.38 ± 1.44) (P=0.014). Compared with baseline at weeks 3 and 7, range of motion values significantly increased in both traction groups (P<0.05) but not in the control (P>0.05). However, there were no significant differences among the three groups considering the change data from baseline to week 7 in range of motion values (P=0.300).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joint traction was found to be beneficial for the improvement of pain and physical function loss related to knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Bitlis State Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bitlis, Turkey. mahmutalpayci@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alpayci
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yazmalar
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hiz
authors.forename: Levent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ediz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000145:classification / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012780:Short-Wave Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods*