Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief Induces Changes in Gut Microbiome Composition: A Secondary Analysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Aerobic exercise alters gut microbiome composition, yet the impact of gentle physiotherapy on gut microbiome and its relation to muscle strengthening and physical function remains unexplored.

Hypothesis

Physiotherapy exercises modulate gut microbiome composition and changes in gut microbes are linked to improvements in muscle strength or function.

Study design

Secondary data analysis of samples from a randomized controlled trial.

Level of evidence

Level 2b.

Methods

Data from a 6-week randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy for knee pain were analyzed. Gut microbiota profiling utilized 16S sequencing. We compared intervention and control (usual care) groups using microbial diversity metrics. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) that changed a

SUBMITTER: Kouraki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11556638 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep-Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature