• Mrs. Sasi. N
• Prof. DR. G. Muthamilselvi
• Mrs. R. Malathy

A quasi experimental study was carried out in St. Joseph of Cluny, Hospice convent at Puducherry to evaluate the impact of natural clay therapy on physical functioning, stiffness, pain and swelling of elderly with knee osteoarthritis(OA). A total 60 sample was selected by using non-probability convenient sampling technique and to study the subject the sample was equally divided into Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG). The natural clay was applied 30 minutes per day for 15 days to the EG and CG received routine care. Data was collected before and after intervention by structured questionnaire containing demographic variables, health profile, the WOMAC OA index to assess the degree of OA (Physical functioning, stiffness and the activities that aggravate the pain), intensity of pain by using VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), and swelling by using Lufkin flexible inch tape.The study results revealed that 86.67% of elderly in the EG and 63.33% in the CG had severe symptoms of knee OA, moderate level of pain and extreme level of swelling, respectively in the pretest. The pretest mean score of WOMAC OA index, pain and swelling of elderly in EG were 57.90, 37.93 and 68.20, whereas in CG, it was 55.47, 34.57 and 64.57 respectively. The posttest mean score of WOMAC index score, pain and swelling of elderly in EG were reduced to 35.57, 35.57, and 47, whereas in CG, it was increasing to 57.93, 4.67 and 70.60 respectively. The study concluded that the natural clay therapy was effective in improving the level of physical functioning and reduction in the level of stiffness, pain and swelling. As a natural elements it does not show any side effects which is also available and affordable at near reach and improves quality of life of elderly.

Knee OA, natural clay therapy, WOMAC OA index, VAS, swelling, elderly, old age home.

"A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF NATURAL CLAY THERAPY ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING, STIFFNESS, PAIN AND SWELLING OF ELDERLY WITH KNEE OA IN SELECTED OLD AGE HOME AT PUDUCHERRY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no.187-196, April-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904929.pdf

"A QUASI EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF NATURAL CLAY THERAPY ON PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING, STIFFNESS, PAIN AND SWELLING OF ELDERLY WITH KNEE OA IN SELECTED OLD AGE HOME AT PUDUCHERRY.", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 4, page no. pp187-196, April-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1904929.pdf