Physical Interventions Can Be Effective for Osteoarthritic Knee Pain
By Boggs, Will, MD; Rehab Management: Rehab Today,Publication Date: August 2007
Article focuses on the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimuation (TENS), electroacupuncture (EA), and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for short term pain relief for osteoarthritis of the knee. A review of 33 studies was conducted in which TENS, EA, LLLT, pulsed electromagnetic fields, manual acupuncture, static magnets, and ultrasound therapy. No clinically significant improvements were found following manual acupuncture, static, magnets, and ultrasound therapies, while improvement following pulsed electromagnetic fields was found to be marginal. Significant clinical improvements, however, were found with TENS, EA, and LLLT. Improvements were found to be similar across all three interventions. The pain relieving effect of TENS was found to last for at least 2-4 weeks, while that of EA was retained for 8 weeks after the end of treatment. The LLLT treatment also appeared to give slight pain relief up to 8 weeks following treatment.
Published by: Ascend Media LLC (Website:http://www.ascendmedia.com)
Link to text: http://www.rehabpub.com/RMN/2007-08-06_09.asp
