The efficacy of action potential therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and placebo in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that is localized to diarthodal joints and is characterized by degeneration of hyaline cartilage, with secondary changes in the peri-articular bone and soft tissue. OA is considered to be a sequale of traumatic and age respondent degenerative changes which result in loss of cartilage and impairment of function. The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the relative efficacy of Action Potential Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and placebo in the treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee. This was a prospective, randomized clinical trial consisting of sixty patients who volunteered from the greater Durban area. The patients diagnosed as having Osteoarthritis of the knee, were randomly divided into four treatment groups. Group one and two consisted of twenty patients each and group three and four consisted often patients each, all between the age of 40 - 65 years old. Group one received Action Potential therapy (APT); group two received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS); group three received placebo APT and group four received placebo TENS. For statistical analysis parametric and non-parametric tests were used in all hypothesis Data capturing took place for all groups at the 1st, 2nd and 4th consultations. Subjective data was collected using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale-l Ol ; McGill Pain Questionaire and Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Index (WOMAC). Objective data was gathered using the algometer and goniometer.