Effectiveness of manual therapy targeting hamstring tightness in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of rehabilitation outcomes - Takeaways - MDSpire

Effectiveness of manual therapy targeting hamstring tightness in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of rehabilitation outcomes

  • By

  • Saeid Yahia Al Matif

  • Hussain Al Dera

  • Thamer Al Shammary

  • Ahmed Al Mansour

  • Amirah Alotaibi

  • Mona Idris

  • July 2, 2026

  • 0 min

Share

  • 1

    Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of pain and disability, affecting over 595 million people globally.

  • 2

    Manual therapy (MT) targeting hamstring tightness may reduce pain and improve function in KOA patients, according to a systematic review.

  • 3

    Twelve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 652 participants were included, with nine showing significant within-group improvements.

  • 4

    Pain reductions from MT ranged from 1.5 to 3.2 points on the VAS/NPRS, exceeding minimal clinically important differences.

  • 5

    Methodological quality of the studies was moderate, with common biases including lack of therapist blinding and inadequate allocation concealment.

Original Source(s)

Effectiveness of manual therapy targeting hamstring tightness in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of rehabilitation outcomes

  • by Saeid Yahia Al Matif, Hussain Al Dera, Thamer Al Shammary, Ahmed Al Mansour, Amirah Alotaibi, Mona Idris

  • July 2, 2026

Related Content

Effects of spinal manipulation combined with cervical kinetic chain training on neck muscle function in cervical vertigo: a preliminary prospective controlled study

Meta-analysis of factors for osteonecrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: integration of comprehensive literatures and multicenter databases

Comparative efficacy of traditional and modern mind-body exercises in middle-aged and older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials