Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40265821›Full record

SynthesisThe Journal of manual & manipulative therapy2026

Mobilization with movement on reducing pain and disability for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Long-Huei Lin, Min Lin, Guo-Jia Hsieh, Hsin-I Chen, Shu-Fen Sun, Ren Jei Tsai

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Long-Huei LinSchool of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0003-2630-2544
Min LinDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Guo-Jia HsiehSchool of Physical Therapy and Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Hsin-I ChenChen Yi Physiotherapy Clinic, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Shu-Fen SunDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Ren Jei TsaiDepartment of Oral Hygiene and health Care, Cardinal Tien Junior College of Healthcare and Management, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionKnee osteoarthritis (OA), affecting both tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments, causes pain and reduced quality of life. The Mulligan Concept of mobilization with movement (MWM) may relieve symptoms by modifying sensory input, enhancing central inhibition, and improving motor activation. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis with subgroup analysis to evaluate MWM's efficacy in improving pain and disability in knee OA.

methodsElectronic databases were searched from inception to January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of MWM on knee OA. Pain intensity and disability improvement, standardized using Hedges' g, were the primary and secondary outcomes. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality, extracted data, and performed a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses considered intervention regimens, technique including weight-bearing or not, Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) classification grades, and control group comparisons.

resultsFrom 2

conclusionThis meta-analysis showed that MWM reduces pain and disability in individuals with knee osteoarthritis, especially when incorporated into treatment protocols featuring weight-bearing positions and combined physical therapies. Clinically, MWM could be incorporated into rehabilitation programs to enhance pain relief and functional recovery. Future studies should extend follow-ups and address bias.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal ManipulationsOsteoarthritis, KneePain ManagementHumansMiddle AgedPain MeasurementRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicKnee osteoarthritismeta-analysismobilization with movementphysical therapy

Identifiers

PMID40265821
PMCPMC13007429

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.