Effects of foam rolling on hip pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a retrospective propensity-matched cohort study.

Background: Foam rolling is a self-applied massage using a foam roller that has gained popularity for treatment of muscle soreness. However, its efficacy for improving hip pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis remains unclear.

Objective: To investigate the effects of foam rolling on hip pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis.

Methods: In this retrospective propensity-matched cohort study, medical records of outpatients between January 2017 and March 2019 were reviewed. Of these, 115 patients with hip osteoarthritis were divided into foam rolling or non-foam rolling groups based on home exercises. Both groups were propensity-score matched (1:1) for age, sex, body mass index, Kellgren and Lawrence grade, and visual analog scale (VAS) of hip pain at baseline. The primary outcome was the hip pain-VAS. Effects of interventions on the hip pain-VAS were examined using a split-plot design variance analysis.

Results: After matching, both groups comprised 37 patients each. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics and outcome measurements between the matched groups. A statistically significant interaction was seen between the effects of time and group for hip pain-VAS (F [1, 72] = 31.874, interaction: < .001, η = 0.307). Hip pain-VAS was improved more effectively in the foam rolling group than those in the non-foam rolling group ( < .001). Thirty-four (92%) patients in the foam rolling group, compared to 15 (41%) in the non-foam rolling group, showed a ≥ 32% (minimal clinically important difference) improvement in hip pain-VAS.

Conclusion: These results suggested that foam rolling was an effective intervention for improving hip pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis.