Published Paper Details:

Introduction: Ageing is the natural process, Old age is a crucial phase where the physiological, psychological and socio-cultural changes take place. The majority of older people in India suffer from knee pain, 95% of them are under 85 years of age. Among these 87% have acute diseases and 96% have chronic diseases. Knee pain can be the result of an injury or pathology of the knee joint. The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of mustard plaster on knee joint pain among elderly in selected rural areas at Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Methods: Quasi-experimental research design i.e. non randomized control group design and purposive sampling technique was used to select elderly (= 60 years of age) who had knee joint pain in a selected rural area of Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Modified KOOS pain assessment scale was used to assess the level of pain experienced by the elderly. Among experimental group Mustard powder 20gram with 40gm of wheat flour was mixed in Luke warm water and the paste was spread over a flannel cloth which was double folded and then applied to the knee joint for 7 days. A hot water bottle (1100 F) was placed on the mustard plaster to apply heat to the knee joint. the post test was conducted after the completion of 7 days of topical application of mustard plaster by using modified KOOS pain assessment scale. For control Group regular practice of the participants were encouraged. Results: In experimental group, during pretest, 63% elderly were having moderate knee joint pain, 27% were having mild knee joint pain and 10% were having severe knee joint pain. During posttest 47% elderly were having mild knee joint pain and 40% were having moderate knee joint pain, 7% were having no knee joint pain and 6% were having severe knee joint pain. While in control group, in the pretest, 67% elderly were having moderate knee joint pain, 20% were having mild knee joint pain and 13% were having severe knee joint pain whereas during posttest, 63% elderly were having moderate knee joint pain, 23% were having mild knee joint pain and 14% were having severe knee joint pain. There was statistically significant reduction in mean knee joint pain score in experimental group i.e. 8.53 as compared to control group i.e. 12.96 at p<0.05 level of significance.