Abstract

Aims and scope. Knee osteoarthritis is usually associated with poor hamstring flexibility and the resultant effect is impaired performance in activities of daily living. Efficacy of oral glucosamine sulphate in improving flexibility is still being speculated. The primary aim of this study was to determine the immediate effect of administering glucosamine sulphate cream iontophoresis in improving hamstring flexibility and also compare its effect with when combined with cycle ergometry.
Materials and methods. Fifty two (52) knee joint osteoarthritic subjects were randomly selected into 3 groups. Group 1 received cycle ergometry exercise followed by glucosamine sulphate iontophoresis. Group 2 received only glucosamine sulphate iontophoresis while group 3 received cycle ergometry exercise only. An equivalent of 3ml of Glucosamine sulphate cream was administered transdermally via Electrical; stimulator for group 1 and 2 for 15mins. The 3rd group which served as control received only cycle ergometry exercise for 15minutes. The modified sit and reach flexibility method was used to measure the flexibility of participants in all the groups. Both the descriptive and inferential (ANOVA and paired t-test) statistics were used.
Results. The result showed that the flexibility of group 1 participants was significantly improved than that of group 2 and 3 (p < 0.01). Also, there was significant improvement in the hamstring flexibility immediately after interventions for participants in group 1 and 3 (P < 0.001).
Conclusion. It was concluded that combination of glucosamine sulphate iontophoresis and cycle ergometry is more effective in improving hamstring flexibility. Also, it has significant acute effect in improving hamstring flexibility.