Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Low-level Laser.

N/ACompletedNCT02067871

Marco Aurélio Vaz, PhD44 enrolled

Overview

* The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of low-level laser therapy in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on neuromuscular (muscular strength and morphology) and functional parameters (pain and functional tests) in elderly with knee osteoarthritis. * The hypothesis is that the association of low-level laser therapy with neuromuscular electrical stimulation could reduce joint pain associated with the inflammation and consequently potentiates the effects of electrical stimulation on the muscular system.

* Participants was randomized into one of three intervention groups (intervention period = 8 weeks after a 4 weeks control period in all groups). * Electrical stimulation group (18-32 min of pulsed current, stimulation frequency of 80Hz (Hertz), pulse duration of 200μs and stimulation intensity fixed near to maximal tolerated), * Laser group (low-level laser therapy dose of 4-6J (Joules) per point, six points at the knee joint) * Combined group (electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Interventions

Laser TherapyOTHER

Low-level laser therapy was administered twice a week with a minimum of 48h between sessions over a period of eight weeks.

Electrical StimulationOTHER

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was administered twice a week with a minimum of 48h between sessions over a period of eight weeks and with progressive intensity and volume.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 80 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * elderly. * symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. * radiographic diagnostic of Grade 2 or 3 knee osteoarthritis. Exclusion Criteria: * a body mass index higher than 40 Kg/m2. * a diagnosis of hip, ankle, or toe osteoarthritis. * the use of crutches for locomotion. * participation in a strength-training programme or physiotherapy treatment for knee osteoarthritis in the past six months. * neurological or cognitive disorders. * rheumatoid arthritis. * electronic implants. * previous or upcoming surgery (within three months). * any cardiorespiratory, neuromuscular, or metabolic disease that could represent an absolute contraindication or a contraindication to the performance of maximum strength tests.

Locations (1)

Exercise Research Laboratory, School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Torque change

Torque is an expression of the muscular strength and was assessed by dynamometry.

Time frame: Torque was measured 3 times during the study: baseline (week -4), before intervention (week 0) and post intervention (week 9).

Secondary Outcomes

Muscular architecture change

Muscular architecture (muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length) were assessed by ultrasonography.

Time frame: Architecture was measured 3 times during the study: baseline (week -4), before intervention (week 0) and post intervention (week 9).

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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