AB1466-HPR Effects of short-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pain, quadriceps muscle strength, physical performance and kinesiophobia in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee (A PRELIMANARY STUDY)

Abstract

Background Osteoarthritis may cause fear of movement, increased pain, detention, reduced muscle strength, and range of motion. Quadriceps muscle strengthening is a common goal in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is considered to be an effective technique for strengthening the quadriceps muscle. It has been used to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis. Objectives The aim of the study is to determine the effect of short-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pain, strength, physical performance and kinesophobia in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods 20 patients (9 women 11 men, who were 40–75 years, diagnosed as stage 2 or stage 3 knee OA according to Kellgren-Lawrence criteria, participated to the study. Socio-demographic data of all individuals were recorded. The cases were randomly divided into two groups as control group (n=10) and study group (n=10). Control group treatment consisted of conventional physiotherapy program (hot pack, transcutaneal electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound and home exercises). In the study group, NMES application was added to conventional physiotherapy program. Both groups were treated five days/week for two weeks. The patients were assessed; before and after treatment. The pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Muscle strength was assessed by manual muscle test. Stair-climb test was performed to evaluate physical performance. Western Ontorio and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to assess functional disability. Kinesiophobia was evaluated by Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale. Results There was no significant difference between control and study groups in terms of age, Body Mass Index, the scores of VAS value, Quadriceps Muscle strength, Stair-climb test, WOMAC and TAMPA scores at baseline (p>0.05). Post treatment VAS value decreased significantly in both groups compared with pretreatment values (p<0.05). However the scores of Quadriceps Muscle strength, Stair-climb test, WOMAC and TAMPA did not change significantly in both groups after the treatment. When compared the two groups, all the outcomes were similar (p>0.05) after the treatment. Conclusions Because of the preliminary report and less number of patients; drawing definitive conclusions is not possible. It seems that, short-term conventional physiotherapy program decreased only pain, but did not improve strength, physical performance, functional disability and kinesiophobia. Also, we thought that short-term NMES application which added to conventional physiotherapy program did not provide superiority over treatment outcomes. Reference [1] Bax L, Staes F, Verhagen A. 2005. Does Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Strengthen The Quadriceps Femoris? A Systematic Review Of Randomised Controlled Trials. Sports Med35:191–212. Disclosure of Interest None declared