The effects of manual therapy and exercises on pain, muscle strength, joint health, functionality and quality of life in haemophilic arthropathy of the elbow joint: A randomized controlled pilot study

Introduction: Effective physiotherapy interventions are required for haemophilic arthropathy (HA) of the elbow due to its biomechanical differences and contribution to upper limb functionality.

Aim: To investigate the effects of manual therapy & exercises on bleeding frequency, pain, range of motion (ROM), strength, joint health, functionality and quality of life (QoL) in HA of the elbow.

Methods: Seventeen participants with HA of the elbow were randomized as Manual Therapy & Exercises Group (MTEG = 9) and Home Exercises Group (HEG = 8). Soft tissue mobilization, joint traction (grade I-II) and Mulligan's mobilization with movement as manual therapy, and stretching/strengthening exercises were applied to MTEG, while HEG had only same exercises as home programme. The interventions lasted 3 days/weekly for 5 weeks. Bleeding frequency was evaluated with patients' records; pain with Numeric Pain Scale; ROM with goniometer; strength with digital dynamometer; joint health with HJHS; functionality with Quick-Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire; and QoL with Oxford Elbow Score.

Results: Bleeding frequency and activity pain were decreased, while elbow ROMs and flexor strength were increased in MTEG (P ˂ 0.05). Also significantly improvements were seen in joint health, functionality and QoL in MTEG. HEG showed improvements in activity pain, QoL and some ROMs. MTEG had better results in ROMs, joint health and functionality (P ˂ 0.05).

Conclusion: Manual therapy & exercises may be used without causing bleeding and pain to increase the functionality, joint health and QoL, and is superior to home exercise for joint health and functionality. Home exercises may be ameliorated in pain, QoL and some ROMs.