Knee osteoarthritis Musculoskeletal Diseases Arthropathies
Conditions
Interventions
Participants will receive either:
1. TENS and OA knee group
2. Sham TENS and OA knee group
3. OA knee group alone
TENS intervention:
Those participants allocated to receive either active or sham TE
Sponsors
University of the West of England (UK)
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Patients referred to United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust (UBHT) for physiotherapy with a diagnosis of knee OA will be invited to participate. The clinical and radiographic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) will be applied, whereby a diagnosis of knee OA will require each patient: 1. To complain of knee pain 2. To have radiographic (X-ray) evidence of osteophytes 3. To meet at least one of the following three criteria: 3.1. 50 years or older 3.2. Morning stiffness that lasts for less than 30 minutes 3.3. Crepitus on active movement Where available, X-rays taken within the last 12 months will be used. Otherwise, new X-rays will be ordered. Following appropriate training and assessment of competence, the principal investigator will screen all X-rays for evidence of osteophytes. All X-rays will later be reported on in detail by Professor John Kirwan (Rheumatology Consultant, UBHT) and graded for severity as described in previous work carried out at UBHT.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Co-morbidities that would prevent participation in the exercise programme (such as severe respiratory or cardiac disease) 2. Unable to mobilise independently either unaided or with the use of one stick 3. Unable to participate fully in group activities for other reasons such as dementia 4. Contraindications to TENS 5. Previous experience of using TENS Where there is any doubt, a medical practitioner from the Rheumatology Department at UBHT will be available for advice on the inclusion of patients with co-morbidities.
Design outcomes
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score and pain and stiffness subscale scores (at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks) 2. Knee extensor torque (quadriceps strength) (at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks) 3. Patient global assessment of change (at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks) 4. Self efficacy for exercise (at baseline and 24 weeks) 5. Self-reported exercise adherence (at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks) 6. Logged TENS usage time (at 6 weeks) | — |
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function subscale (at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks). | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed