Safety and Preliminary Effectiveness of Uncle Boonmee’s Herbal Patch on Knee Pain in Patients with Knee Osteoarthriti

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the safety and preliminary effectiveness of Uncle Boonmee’s herbal patch on knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Forty subjects were selected using purposive sampling technique. The participants received Uncle Boonmee’s herbal patch to mask above and under the knee joint for about 30 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks (totally 8 times). The measurements included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion of knees, modified WOMAC Score, and the Naranjo algorithm assessment form. Descriptive statistics and t-test were used to analyze the data. The results revealed that before using Uncle Boonmee’s herbal patch, the pain scale (VAS) and modified WOMAC score decreased significantly (p < 0.05), compared to before the experiment. The mean and standard deviation of pain scale (VAS) before using the herbal patch was 7.68 ± 1.29 and decreased to 4.93 ± 1.31 after using the herbal patch. The mean and standard deviation of modified WOMAC score before using the herbal patch was 94.55 ± 7.05 and decreased to 63.05 ± 7.43 after using the herbal patch. Meanwhile, the range of motion of knees after using the herbal patch for 4, 6 and 8 times increased significantly (p < 0.05) compared to before the experiment. The mean and standard deviation of range of motion of knees was 115.95 ± 7.23 degrees before trial and increased to 122.27 ± 3.00 degrees after trial. Moreover, after applying the herbal patch, none of the subjects experienced adverse drug reactions. So, it can be concluded that Uncle Boonmee’s herbal patch is safe and effective for reducing mild to moderate knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis as well as improving the patient’s routine activities.