Efektivitas Akupresur Terhadap Nyeri, Kekakuan Sendi, dan Fungsi Fisik Pasien Osteoartritis Lutut

Abstract

Acupressure is a complementary therapy that can alleviate symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of acupressure on pain, joint stiffness, and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A randomized controlled trial design was used, comparing an intervention group receiving NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and acupressure with a control group receiving only NSAIDs and physiotherapy. Acupressure was administered for 10-15 minutes, three times per week for four weeks. The sampling technique employed was simple random sampling, involving 87 participants divided into the intervention group (n=46) and the control group (n=41). The instrument used was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were analyzed using an independent t-test to assess the mean differences in WOMAC scores between the two groups. The results showed significant differences in WOMAC scores for pain (p<0.05), stiffness (p<0.05), and physical function (p<0.05). This study demonstrated that the combination of NSAIDs, physiotherapy, and acupressure significantly reduced WOMAC scores. Acupressure was found to be effective in simultaneously reducing pain, relieving joint stiffness, and improving physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis.