Efficacy of interferential current therapy plus exercise compared to sham interferential current plus exercise for pain relief in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial.

研究概要

One hundred forty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized to interferential current (IFC) plus exercise (n=72) or sham IFC plus exercise (n=72). The primary outcomes were pain (Numeric Rating Scale) and function (WOMAC); secondary outcomes included WOMAC subscales, gait speed, EQ-5D-5L, adverse events, and satisfaction. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, Week 3 (end of treatment), and Week 6 (3 weeks post-treatment). Overall, the results of the study revealed small between-group advantages for IFC at Week 3 on NRS pain and some WOMAC measures, but these did not reach established MCIDs and disappeared by Week 6. In short, IFC added to exercise did not produce clinically meaningful improvements in pain or function versus exercise alone.