Does physiotherapy research in South Korea match international best-practice osteoarthritis guidelines? A narrative review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapy-based osteoarthritis (OA) research conducted in South Korea, with a focus on the utilisation of conservative management, and to assess its alignment with international clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus – accessed via EBSCOhost) and Google Scholar were searched to identify clinical articles and trials focused on research related to OA management in physiotherapy conducted in South Korea. A total of 11 studies met the inclusion criteria, with nine being randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one utilising a prospective design and one a quasi-experimental approach. These studies employed various interventions such as kinesiology tape (KT), electrotherapies, and exercise. None of the studies implemented education, self-management, and weight control as management. There is a discrepancy between research-based physiotherapy for OA management in South Korea and international CPGs. These findings may be explained by factors such as education, healthcare systems, and cultural differences.