Table 3 Comparisons of WOMAC, mean VAS, SF-12v2, knee ROM, and muscle strength between “Thermal gun” and “Heat pack” groups

WOMAC

Baseline (Mean ± SD)

Total

52.47 ± 17.58

48.39 ± 16.06

0.30

Pain

11.11 ± 3.62

10.05 ± 3.34

0.19

Stiffness

4.50 ± 2.06

3.74 ± 2.04

0.11

Function limitation

36.84 ± 13.42

34.61 ± 11.73

0.44

After 8 sessions’ intervention (Mean ± SD)

Total

42.71 ± 16.14

47.55 ± 13.74

0.27

Pain

9.52 ± 3.50

9.75 ± 2.97

0.81

Stiffness

3.58 ± 1.80

3.35 ± 1.95

0.67

Function limitation

29.61 ± 11.95

34.45 ± 10.87

0.15

Mean VAS

Baseline

4.51 ± 2.39

4.27 ± 2.15

0.65

After 8 sessions’ intervention

4.12 ± 2.05

3.85 ± 1.80

0.63

SF-12v2

Baseline

PCS

29.07 ± 6.36

30.20 ± 8.65

0.54

MCS

36.25 ± 9.21

35.99 ± 10.56

0.91

After 8 sessions’ intervention

PCS

32.27 ± 5.28

30.38 ± 4.76

0.25

MCS

38.55 ± 7.76

36.52 ± 7.60

0.41

Knee ROM

Baseline

Extension

14.61± 5.82

11.03 ± 2.80

< 0.01^*

Flexion

111.72 ± 14.62

110.05 ± 14.58

0.62

After 8 sessions’ intervention

Extension

11.27 ± 4.85

9.90 ± 1.75

0.16

Flexion

113.50 ± 12.52

119.50 ± 11.01

0.09

Muscle strength

Baseline

Quadriceps

4.42 ± 0.36

4.67 ± 0.37

< 0.01^*

Hamstring

4.66 ± 0.40

4.88 ± 0.22

< 0.01^*

After 8 sessions’ intervention

Quadriceps

4.63 ± 0.39

4.68 ± 0.41

0.69

Hamstring

4.81 ± 0.31

4.88 ± 0.28

0.42