34A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INFRA-RED RADIATION AND HOT WATER FOMENTATION ON PAIN AMONG PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEEArthritis has a serious impact on people’s life. It’s a leading cause of disability in people that affects the lifestyle. Arthritic conditions do not usually cause death, but they affect quality of life of a person and leave them morbid. Arthritis limits the ability of people to work and care for themselves and their families. Most patients need to alter their activity patterns and life styles due to the aggravating pain. The aim of the study is to assess the pain level and compare the effectiveness between Infra-red radiation and hot water fomentation on pain among patients with osteoarthritis of knee. Evaluative and comparative research approach was applied in this study. The setting of the main study was at Visakhapatnam. The sample was selected by using convenient sampling method.50 samples were included in which 25 samples each were used for hot water fomentation application and for infra-red radiation application. Visual Analogue Standard Pain Scale and observational check list for Behavioral changes to pain were used as tool. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Infra-red radiation application was more effective than Hot water fomentation application in minimizing level of pain among patients with osteoarthritis of knee.aroun2000@gmail.comResearch432014Hot water fomentation, Infrared Rays,Effectiveness, Patients with Osteoarthritis of KneeR. Aroun PrasathBPT, MSc Medical Anatomy, PhD Scholar (Medical Anatomy), Lecturer, K.T.G. College of Physiotherapy, Bangalore, Karnataka, India