The Efficacy of Exercise and Alternative Applications of NMES on Pain and Function in Patients With Knee OA

Istanbul University60 enrolled

Overview

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of exercise and different size electrodes of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) applications on pain, range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, function status and depression in knee osteoarthritis. 60 voluntary patients were included in the study and these patients divided into three groups randomly. For Group 1 only exercise, for Group 2 simultaneously active contraction with NMES with standard size electrodes, for Group 3 simultaneously active contraction with NMES with large electrodes applied for 3 days per week, 18 session. Pain was measured with Visual analog Scale (VAS), ROM was measured with digital goniometer, muscle strength was measured with "Hand-held" dynamometer (Lafayette Instrument®, Lafayette, IN), functional status were measured with WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) Index and stair climbing test, balance was analysed with one leg standing test, depression was scored with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale and patients satisfaction was scored with Global Rating Change Scales. The cases evaluated before and after treatment.

Aim: This study investigated the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was applied with different size electrodes on the functionality, pain, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in patients wtih knee osteoarthritis (OA). Material and Metod: Sixty patients with knee OA who received physical therapy for knee pain and functional disability at Istanbul University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy were included. These patients divided into three groups randomly. Group 1 applied exercise programme. Group 2 performed exercise programme with NMES with standard size electrodes (5×5 cm²). Group 3 performed exercise programme with NMES with large size electrodes (10×20 cm², 3×18 cm², 10 3×7.5 cm², 7×14 cm²) NMES was applied for 20 minutes to Group 2 and Group 3. The patients attended 18 treatment sessions 3 times per week in the physical therapy clinic and underwent assesment before treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment. Pain was measured with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM) was measured with digital goniometer, muscle strength was measured with ''Hand-held'' dynomometer, functional status were measured with WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities) Index and stair climbing test, balance was analysed with one leg standing test. Patients satisfaction was scored with Global Change Scales.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 47 YearsMax age: 74 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Acceppting to participate Being between 45-74 years according to the description of the World Health Organisation Being women Having Osteoarthritis on right knee. Having the symptoms of Grade 2-3 according to Kellgren ve Lawrence Classification Having a value below 30 according to Body Mass Index Exclusion Criteria: Not accepting to partipate Having left knee Osteoarthritis Having an orthopedic problem on lower extremity Having uncontrollable hypertension Having arteriovenous problem on lower extremity Having confusion about regular participation Having a neurogical problem Having learning and perception problem Having heart implant Being included in physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for knee OA in last 6 month Having injection application for knee in last 6 month

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Visual Analoque Scale

Pain intensity was assessed using the VAS; each patient was asked the pain during the rest, activity, and at night time.

Time frame: The rest, night time and pain in activity were assessed by VAS before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

Knee Extensor Muscle Strength

Quadriceps Femoris Muscle strength was measured using a Hand-held Dynomometer.

Time frame: Quadriceps Femoris Muscle strength was measured before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

Secondary Outcomes

Knee Range of Motion

Knee Flexion and extension were measured using a Digital Goniometer.

Time frame: Knee Flexion and extension were measured with Digital Goniometer on sitting position before treatment versus after 6 weeks.

Knee Range of Motion

Knee Flexion and extension were taken using a Digital Goniometer on sitting position.

Time frame: Knee Flexion and extension were taken using Digital Goniometer before treatment versus after 6 weeks treatent.

Muscle Strength using a Hand-held Dynomometer

Hip flexor, extensor, adductor, abductor groups muscles, knee flexor groups muscles strength were measaured using a Hand-held Dynomometer.

Time frame: Hip flexor, extensor, adductor, abductor groups muscles, knee flexor groups muscles strength were measaured before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index)

The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) is widely used in the evaluation of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. It is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items divided into 3 subscales:\[1\] Pain (5 items): during walking, using stairs, in bed, sitting or lying, and standing upright Stiffness (2 items): after first waking and later in the day Physical Function (17 items): using stairs, rising from sitting, standing, bending, walking, getting in / out of a car, shopping, putting on / taking off socks, rising from bed, lying in bed, getting in / out of bath, sitting, getting on / off toilet, heavy domestic duties, light domestic duties. The test questions are scored on a scale of 0-4, which correspond to: None (0), Mild (1), Moderate (2), Severe (3), and Extreme (4). The scores for each subscale are summed up, with a possible score range of 0-20 for Pain, 0-8 for Stiffness, and 0-68 for Physical Function.

Time frame: Pain, stiffness and physical function were assessed by WOMAC before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

Stair Climbimg Test (SCT)

The SCT assesses the ability to ascend and descend a flight of stairs, as well as lower extremity balance.Test included the number of steps, the task requirement (ascent only or ascent/decent combined), or whether the test is timed over a set number of steps or the step count is recorded for a set period of time: 9-step ascend/descend, 4-step ascend/descend (6),3-step ascent cycle duration, 30-second test (12 steps), 3-step measured on 0 - 6 scale of level of assistance., and 6-step fast and self-paced.

Time frame: Balance was assessed by SCT before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

One Leg Standing Test

One single-leg standing was assessed balance. Test required the subject to stand with arms by his/her side.Timing was started when the subject raised one foot off the ground. Timing was stopped if the subject displaced the weight-bearing foot, touched the suspended foot to the ground, used the suspended limb to support the weight-bearing limb, or reached the maximum balance time of 30 seconds.

Time frame: Balance was assessed by One Leg Standing Test before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.

Global Rating Change Scales

Rating levels of satisfaction is critical to a successful survey. Global Rating Scale's levels of satisfaction may vary from "Not at all satisfied" to "Very Satisfied" or "Extremely Satisfied," but the scale is not balanced in the same way as Performance or Expectation.

Time frame: Satisfactions was assessed using by Global Rating Change Scales before treatment versus after 6 weeks of treatment.