Effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy on clinical variables and isokinetic performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a prospective, randomized, single-blind and controlled trial.

研究概要

One hundred and four patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) were randomized to receive radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy (rESWT) or sham rESWT, in addition to a combination of hot pack treatment, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and exercise therapy over a period of 3 weeks. Outcomes of interest included pain scores at rest and during activity on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), knee range of motion, 20 metre walking test, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and associated sub-scores, the Lequesne Index and associated sub-scores, and isokinetic peak quadriceps torque at 60 and 180 degrees per second. Outcomes were assessed immediately post-treatment, as well as at 1 and 3 months post-treatment. All outcomes at all time-points were significantly in favour of the rESWT group compared to the sham group, with the exception of WOMAC stiffness scores which were not significantly different between the two treatment arms at all time-points.