Health Education and Health Promotion

en Post-Isometric Relaxation for Management of Hemophilic Arthropathy Aims: Hemophilic arthropathy is the leading cause of morbidity in individuals with severe hemophilia. Post-isometric relaxation, a form of muscle energy technique, operates on the principle of autogenic inhibition to improve joint range and muscle strength. No previous reports document its use in hemophilic arthropathy. Therefore, this study aimed to prospectively compare the effects of post-isometric relaxation combined with conventional physical therapy versus conventional physical therapy alone in individuals with hemophilic arthropathy. Materials & Methods: This single-center quasi-experimental study was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India from June 2023 to May 2024. Fifty eligible individuals with knee hemophilic arthropathy consented to participate. All 50 participants received conventional physical therapy. Of these, 25 received the post-isometric relaxation intervention, forming the experimental group. The sessions were held three times a week for five consecutive weeks. Findings: Forty-two out of the 50 participants who completed the five-week intervention were included in the analysis. The experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in knee flexion (mean difference=-18.67±5.66; 95% CI: -24.33, -13.01) and extension (mean difference=-4.82±1.96; 95% CI: 2.86, 6.78) range of motion, muscle strength (extensors: mean difference=-9.93±4.40; 95% CI: -10.12, -1.82; flexors: mean difference=-7.83±3.16; 95% CI: -9.25, -1.09), joint health (mean difference=10.37±4.21; 95% CI: 6.16, 14.58), and joint function (mean difference=-4.81±1.43; 95% CI: -6.24, -3.38) compared to the control group (p-value<0.05). Nevertheless, both groups showed significant improvement when compared to their baseline outcomes (p-value=0.0001). Conclusion: Post-isometric relaxation improves knee range of motion, strength, joint health, and joint function when combined with conventional physical therapy for individuals with hemophilic arthropathy. Hemophilia A,Joint Diseases,Physical Therapy Modalities,Muscle Relaxation,Range of Motion, Articular,Functional Status, 213 220 http://hehp.modares.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-86554-1&slc_lang=en&sid=4 S. Sharma 1003194753284600359865 1003194753284600359865 No Department of Physiotherapy, Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India T.G. Tilak Francis 1003194753284600359866 1003194753284600359866 Yes Department of Physiotherapy, Krupanidhi College of Physiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India