Efficacy of continuous and pulsed therapeutic ultrasound combined with exercises for knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To compare the effects of continuous and pulsed therapeutic ultrasound combined with strengthening exercises.

DESIGN:

This is a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

SETTING:

Pontifical Catholic University.

SUBJECTS:

One hundred participants with Grade 2-4 knee osteoarthritis and both genders were involved.

INTERVENTION:

Participants were randomized into five groups: Group I (n = 20; in the first month, continuous ultrasound was applied), Group II (n = 20; in the first month, pulsed ultrasound was applied), Group III (n = 20; in the first and second months, continuous ultrasound was applied), Group IV (n = 20; in the first and second months, pulsed ultrasound was applied) and Group V (n = 20; patients received only exercise sessions for eight weeks). All patients in the groups that received ultrasound application performed exercises in the second month of treatment. The sessions occurred three times a week.

MAIN MEASURES:

Pain was assessed using the visual analogical scale, functionality was assessed using the Lequesne questionnaire, range of motion was assessed using a universal goniometer, muscular strength was assessed using a dynamometer, mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test and 8-meter walk test and the activity level was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire.

RESULTS:

Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were presented by Group III in the variables pain during activities of daily living (ADLs) 5.89 (2.18), mobility assessed by 8-meter test 2.68 (2.56), in pain 10.65 (4.40), function 25.50 (10.87) and total 38.65 (15.29) of WOMAC and functionality 9.10 (5.15).

CONCLUSION:

Prolonged applications of continuous ultrasound combined with exercises are effective in providing pain, mobility, functionality and activity in subjects with knee osteoarthritis.

• Authors: Patrícia Pereira Alfredo, Washington Steagall Junior, Raquel Aparecida Casarotto
• Journal: Clinical rehabilitation (Clin Rehabil) Vol. 34 Issue 4 Pg. 480-490 (Apr 2020) ISSN: 1477-0873 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 32063035 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adult
• Aged
• Double-Blind Method
• Exercise Therapy
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Strength
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (physiopathology, therapy)
• Pain Measurement
• Postural Balance
• Range of Motion, Articular
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Time and Motion Studies
• Ultrasonic Therapy
• Visual Analog Scale
• Walk Test