Effect of a Fascial Therapy Treatment on Quality of Life in Patients With Hemophilic Elbow Arthropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of fascial therapy on the perceived quality of life, pain intensity, and joint health in people with hemophilia.

Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Hemophilia Patient Associations.

Participants: Patients with hemophilia (N=69) were randomly allocated to an experimental group (fascial therapy protocol) or to a control group (no intervention whatsoever).

Interventions: The fascial therapy intervention lasted 3 consecutive weeks with one 45-minute weekly session.

Main outcome measures: The variables evaluated were perceived quality of life (Short Form Health Survey-36), pain intensity (visual analog scale) and joint health (Hemophilia Joint Health Score) at baseline and at 3 and 12 weeks.

Results: The mean values of the physical (38.64±9.41 and 41.92±12.16) and mental (45.77±6.25 and 55.02±9.73) components of the Short Form Health Survey-36 improved after the intervention in the experimental group, as well as those for pain intensity and joint health (P<.001). There were differences (P<.001) in the intergroup effect in the physical role variables (F=49.22), emotional role (F=229.71), mental component (F=9.86), intensity of pain (F=24.74), and joint health (F=55.31).

Conclusions: A fascial therapy protocol for patients with hemophilic elbow arthropathy can improve their perceived quality of life. Elbow pain intensity improved in patients treated with fascial therapy. This technique can improve elbow joint health.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03009591.

Keywords: Hemophilia; Joint pain; Physiotherapy techniques; Quality of life; Randomized controlled trial; Rehabilitation.