This study investigated the benefits of the combination of interferential (IF) and patterned muscle stimulation in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
This was a multi-center, randomized, single-blind, controlled study with an independent observer. The study randomized 116 patients with OA of the knee to a test or control group. The test group received 15 min of IF stimulation followed by 20 min of patterned muscle stimulation. The control group received 35 min of low-current transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Subjects completed questionnaires at baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included the pain and physical function subscales of the Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) OA Index and Visual Analog Scales (VAS) for pain and quality of life.
Compared to the control group, the test group showed reduced pain and increased function. The test group showed a greater decrease in the WOMAC pain subscale (P=0.002), function subscale (P=0.003) and stiffness subscale (P=0.004). More than 70% of the test group, compared to less than 50% of the control group, had at least a 20% reduction in the WOMAC pain subscale. When analyzing only patients who completed the study, the test group had a nominally significant greater decrease in overall pain VAS. No significant between-group differences were observed in incidence of adverse events.
In patients with OA of the knee, home-based patterned stimulation appears to be a promising therapy for relieving pain, decreasing stiffness, and increasing function.