Effect of Topical Alpinia Galanga L. Oil vs. Diclofenac Gel on Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The administration of oral drugs as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis is associated with some complications. Thus, this study investigated the effect of topical use of Alpinia Galanga oil on knee osteoarthritis symptoms and compared it to diclofenac topical gel. Methods: In this clinical trial, simple random sampling with balanced block randomization was used to select and investigate ۱۵۸ patients with knee osteoarthritis. In the intervention group, the samples used ۵-۱۰ drops of Alpinia Galanga oil tid (three times a day) for ۲۱ days topically on the painful joint. Diclofenac gel was used in the same way for the control group. The results of pain, motor function, and joint stiffness were evaluated based on WOMAC questionnaire before the intervention, after ۱۴ days, and after ۲۱ days. Finally, the results were collected using the existing checklists and analyzed using SPSS۱۶. Results: Pain intensity, motor dysfunction, and joint stiffness were significantly reduced in patients using Alpinia Galanga oil (P˂۰.۰۰۱) and diclofenac gel (P˂۰.۰۰۱) during the time of use. Besides, the exercise index of patients using Alpinia Galanga oil ((P˂۰.۰۰۱) and diclofenac gel (P˂۰.۰۰۱) increased significantly during the time of use. Besides, the use of analgesics in Alpinia Galanga oil group was significantly lower than the diclofenac gel group (P=۰.۰۲۴). Conclusion: Based on our findings and the evidence from phytomedicine, prescribing the topical use of Alpinia Galanga oil can ameliorate symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis to the same degree as diclofenac gel.

کلیدواژه ها:

Osteoarthritis ، Alpinia Galanga L ، Diclofenac ، Persian Medicine