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

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.