February 19, 2010 – Glucosamine combined with walking would reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip more than glucosamine alone, a preliminary Australian study reveals.
The clinical trial was conducted in 36 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. During the first 6 weeks, participants took only glucosamine (1500 mg per day). The researchers then noted an average reduction of 30% in stiffness in the affected joints. Participants reported a 9% improvement in mobility, but no significant relief from pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Over the next 6 weeks, participants followed a moderate walking program (2 times 30 minutes – 3,000 steps – 3 times per week) while continuing to take glucosamine. At the end of these 6 weeks, participants reported an average 17% reduction in pain as well as a 37% improvement in mobility.
During the following weeks, the walking program was intensified (6,000 steps per day). Walking more caused additional pain for the majority of them.
A moderate walking program in combination with taking glucosamine provides relief comparable to that attributed to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, the researchers say. This treatment could also help to counter the progressive loss of mobility associated with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. The researchers acknowledge, however, that this is a preliminary study, but stress that its results warrant further research.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
1. Ng NT, Heesch KC, Brown WJ. Efficacy of a progressive walking program and glucosamine sulphate supplementation on osteoarthritic symptoms of the hip and knee: a feasibility trial. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010 Feb 12; 12 (1): R25.
