SynthesisFrontiers in medicine2026
Effectiveness of manual therapy targeting hamstring tightness in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of rehabilitation outcomes.
Synthesis in Frontiers in medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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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.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Hamstring tightness alters biomechanics and increases joint loading, thereby exacerbating symptoms. Manual therapy (MT) has been proposed to modulate pain and improve function; however, its effectiveness in specifically targeting hamstring tightness in KOA remains unclear. Objective: To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of manual therapy interventions targeting hamstring tightness on pain intensity and physical function in individuals with KOA. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Given substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity, pooled analyses were interpreted with caution using random-effects models, alongside a structured narrative synthesis conducted in accordance with SWiM guidelines. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024524779). Nine databases were searched from January 2010 to March 2024. Eligible studies included those that enrolled adults with radiographically confirmed KOA who received MT targeting hamstring tightness. Outcomes included pain (VAS/NPRS), function (WOMAC, KOOS), and flexibility (AKET/PKE). Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Twelve RCTs ( Conclusion: Manual therapy targeting hamstring tightness appears effective for short-term pain reduction and functional improvement in KOA. However, evidence is limited by heterogeneity and moderate study quality. Manual therapy may be considered an adjunct to exercise therapy, and further high-quality trials with standardized protocols are needed. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024524779.
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