Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research

en The Impact of Topical Alpinia Galanga L. Oil versus Diclofenac Gel on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial Clinical Medicine Clinical Medicine مقاله پژوهشی Original Research Article Background and Aims: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition characterized by pain, stiffness, and reduced function, often requiring long-term management. Systemic complications associated with oral NSAIDs have led to increased interest in topical treatments. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of topical Alpinia galanga oil and diclofenac gel in relieving knee OA symptoms. Methods: The present clinical trial was carried out from December 2021 to May 2022 on clients in health centers of Sabzevar, northeastern Iran. A total of 160 patients aged 45–70 years participated in this study. They were affected by knee OA based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Their condition was graded 1 to 3 based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification system. The patients were randomly assigned to either receive Alpinia galanga L. oil (5–10 drops, bid) or 1% diclofenac gel, applied topically for 28 consecutive days. The findings, including pain severity, joint rigidity, motor acts, exercise ability, and quality of life, were examined at baseline, 14 days, and 28 days post-treatment via the WOMAC questionnaire. Balanced block randomization confirmed equal group assignment, and all patients, researchers, and statistical analysts were blinded to assignments of patients to groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS16, with t-tests and ANOVA employed to determine within-group and between-group differences (P < 0.05). Results: Out of 160 patients, 81 were given Alpinia galanga oil and 77 received diclofenac gel. Both treatments significantly ameliorated pain acuity, joint rigidity, and motor act scores during the intervention period (P<0.001 for all). Exercise stamina was also fostered significantly in either group (P<0.001) without any significant disparity between treatments (P>0.05). Scores of quality of life were enhanced significantly in the Alpinia galanga oil group (P<0.001), while no significant change was observed in the diclofenac group (P=0.139). Finally, no statistically significant difference was found between groups in initial results suggesting comparable efficacy. Conclusion: Topical Alpinia galanga oil is as effective as diclofenac gel in alleviating knee OA symptoms, with potential advantages in improving quality of life. Osteoarthritis, Alpinia Galanga L., Diclofenac, Persian Medicine 60 67 http://journal.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-7062-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Samaneh Sadat Asadi samanesadatasadi1992@gmail.com 5200319475328460082834 5200319475328460082834 No Student Research Committee, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran Parastoo Amiri amiri.parasto@gmail.com 5200319475328460082835 5200319475328460082835 No Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran Ali Khatib khatiba1@nums.ac.ir 5200319475328460082836 5200319475328460082836 No Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Mohammad Amin Ebrahimi mohammadaminebrahimi105@gmail.com 5200319475328460082837 5200319475328460082837 No Student Research Committee, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran Shamim Shahrestani sh.shahrestani82@gmail.com 5200319475328460082838 5200319475328460082838 No Student Research Committee, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran Fereshteh Ghorat drghorat@gmail.com 5200319475328460082839 5200319475328460082839 Yes Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran