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Is neuromuscular electrical stimulation effective for improving pain, function and activities of daily living of knee osteoarthritis patients? A randomized clinical trial

A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular é efetiva na melhora da dor, função e atividades de vida diária de pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho? Ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstracts

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used in rehabilitation protocols for patients suffering from muscle weakness resulting from knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of an eight-week treatment program of NMES combined with exercises, for improving pain and function among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Randomized clinical trial at Interlagos Specialty Ambulatory Clinic, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

One hundred were randomized into two groups: NMES group and control group. The following evaluation measurements were used: numerical pain scale from 0 to 10, timed up and go (TUG) test, Lequesne index and activities of daily living (ADL) scale.

RESULTS

Eighty-two patients completed the study. From intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis comparing the groups, the NMES group showed a statistically significant improvement in relation to the control group, regarding pain intensity (difference between means: 1.67 [0.31 to 3.02]; P = 0.01), Lequesne index (difference between means: 1.98 [0.15 to 3.79]; P = 0.03) and ADL scale (difference between means: -11.23 [-19.88 to -2.57]; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

NMES, within a rehabilitation protocol for patients with knee osteoarthritis, is effective for improving pain, function and activities of daily living, in comparison with a group that received an orientation program.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN012607000357459.

Osteoarthritis; Knee; Electric stimulation therapy; Rehabilitation; Exercise therapy; Clinical trial


CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO

A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) tem sido incluída em protocolos de reabilitação de pacientes com fraqueza muscular decorrente da osteoartrite do joelho. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a efetividade de um tratamento de oito semanas de EENM combinado com exercícios na melhora da dor e função em pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho.

TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL

Ensaio clínico randomizado realizado no Ambulatório de Especialidades de Interlagos, São Paulo, Brasil.

MÉTODOS

Cem pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo EENM (GEENM) e grupo controle (GC). As medidas de avaliação utilizadas foram: escala numérica de dor (END) 0 a 10, teste timed up and go (TUG), índice de Lequesne e escala de atividades de vida diária (EAVD).

RESULTADOS

Oitenta e dois pacientes completaram a pesquisa. Por meio da análise por intenção de tratar, na comparação entre grupos, o GEENM apresentou melhora estatisticamente significante em comparação ao GC na redução da dor (diferença entre as médias: 1,67 [0,31; 3,02], P = 0,01), no índice de Lequesne (diferença entre as médias: 1,98 [0,15; 3,79] e na EAVD (diferença entre as médias: -11,23 [-19,88; -2,57], P = 0,01).

CONCLUSÃO

A EENM, quando inserida em um protocolo de reabilitação para pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho, é efetiva na redução da dor, melhora da função e das atividades de vida diária quando comparada a um grupo submetido a programa de orientação.

REGISTRO DE ENSAIO CLÍNICO

ACTRN012607000357459.

Osteoartrite; Joelho; Terapia por estimulação elétrica; Reabilitação; Terapia por exercício; Ensaio clínico


INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis is a major musculoskeletal condition characterized by loss of joint cartilage.11. Felson DT. Developments in the clinical understanding of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(1):203. Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis affects 12% of individuals aged 60 years and over and, for many, remains a major source of pain and functional limitation.11. Felson DT. Developments in the clinical understanding of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(1):203. In addition to pain, patients with knee osteoarthritis also report a sensation of instability, which can lead to falls and functional disability, thereby increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality.22. Maurer BT, Stern AG, Kinossian B, Cook KD, Schumacher HR Jr. Osteoarthritis of the knee: isokinetic quadriceps exercise versus an educational intervention. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999;80(10): 1293-9. Some authors have reported that quadriceps weakness is associated with poorer self-reported ratings of function and disability. Since the quadriceps muscle assists in shock absorption in the knee joint, weakness in this muscle group results in greater physical stress and therefore increases the pressure on the knee.33. Hurley MV. The role of muscle weakness in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1999;25(2):283-98, vi.

Functional assessments on patients with knee osteoarthritis can be performed using a functionality questionnaire or performance tests in which the patient is observed and evaluated.44. Maly MR, Costigan PA, Olney SJ. Contribution of psychosocial and mechanical variables to physical performance measures in knee osteoarthritis. Phys Ther. 2005;85(12):1318-28. The main functional questionnaires used to assess patients with knee osteoarthritis include the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, Lequesne index and activities of daily living (ADL) scale.55. Bellamy N, Buchanan WW, Goldsmith CH, Campbell J, Stitt LW. Validation study of WOMAC: a health status instrument for measuring clinically important patient relevant outcomes to antirheumatic drug therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. J Rheumatol. 1988;15(12):1833-40.77. Irrgang JJ, Snyder-Mackler L, Wainner RS, Fu FH, Harner CD. Development of a patient-reported measure of function of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80(8):1132-45. Among the functional performance tests used for patients with knee osteoarthritis, the most popular and reproducible of these are the timed up and go (TUG) test, six-minute walking test, get up and go test and stair climbing test.88. Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39(2):142-8.,99. Stratford PW, Kennedy DM. Performance measures were necessary to obtain a complete picture of osteoarthritic patients. J Clin Epidemiol. 2006;59(2):160-7. These forms of functional assessment (self-reported and performance tests) are considered to be reproducible at low cost, and are very commonly used tests for patients with knee osteoarthritis.99. Stratford PW, Kennedy DM. Performance measures were necessary to obtain a complete picture of osteoarthritic patients. J Clin Epidemiol. 2006;59(2):160-7.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is defined as application of an electrical current to the neuromuscular junction and surrounding muscle fibers in order to produce a visible muscle contraction due to activation of intramuscular nerve branches.1010. Maffiuletti NA. Physiological and methodological considerations for the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010;110(2):223-34. NMES can be used for: (1) preservation of muscle mass and function during prolonged periods of disuse or immobilization; (2) recovery of muscle mass and function following prolonged periods of disuse or immobilization; (3) improvement of muscle function in different healthy populations: elderly subjects, recreational athletes and competitive athletes; and (4) preoperative strengthening.1010. Maffiuletti NA. Physiological and methodological considerations for the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2010;110(2):223-34.

It has been suggested that NMES should be used in combination with traditional strengthening programs.1111. Lewek M, Stevens J, Snyder-Mackler L. The use of electrical stimulation to increase quadriceps femoris muscle force in an elderly patient following a total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2001;81(9):1565-71. The effect of NMES is believed to occur through increasing the capacity of the muscle to generate force.1111. Lewek M, Stevens J, Snyder-Mackler L. The use of electrical stimulation to increase quadriceps femoris muscle force in an elderly patient following a total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2001;81(9):1565-71.

The methods and results of the several previous studies on knee osteoarthritis differ from each other specifically in relation to NMES stimulation parameters. These have varied in frequency (25 to 50 Hz), lengths of time on and off (5 to 10 seconds), duration of NMES application (4 to 12 weeks) and setting of NMES application (at home or in a secondary care facility).1212. Durmuş D, Alayli G, Cantürk F. Effects of quadriceps electrical stimulation program on clinical parameters in the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatol. 2007;26(5):674-8.1616. Gaines JM, Metter EJ, Talbot LA. The effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on arthritis knee pain in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. Appl Nurs Res. 2004;17(3):201-6. This has resulted in a lack of consensus regarding the inclusion of NMES in rehabilitation protocols.

Important method flaws have been observed when assessing the methodological quality of previous studies that investigated NMES in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Thus, due to the divergences in methods, results and methodological quality among the previous studies, the aim in the present study was to conduct a clinical trial with improved methodological quality.

Since functional limitations are the main factors giving rise to impairments among patients with knee osteoarthritis, it is therefore essential to research interventions that have the aim of improving mobility and therefore functionality in this particular population of patients.44. Maly MR, Costigan PA, Olney SJ. Contribution of psychosocial and mechanical variables to physical performance measures in knee osteoarthritis. Phys Ther. 2005;85(12):1318-28. Our hypothesis was that patients who received NMES would achieve improvements in pain and function, compared with patients only receiving guidance.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present randomized clinical trial was to assess the effect of NMES, as shown by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), TUG test, Lequesne index and ADL scale, regarding improvements among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODS

The present study was conducted in a secondary care facility, the Theumatology Department of Interlagos Specialty Ambulatory Clinic, São Paulo, Brasil, where the patients endolled were registered. This study was registered in the Australian Clinical Trials Registry (number: ACTRN012607000357459). The Ethics Committee of the Federal University of São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Unifesp), Brazil, approved the present study (study registration number: CEP 0141/07). To report on this randomized clinical trial, the authors followed the recommendations of the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) Statement.1717. Moher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, et al. CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: Updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(8):e1-37.

A statistician generated a random allocation sequence, and simple randomization was performed by using a random-generator on a computer. To avoid selection bias, an impartial person numbered and sealed the opaque envelopes.

Sample size

A priori power analysis calculation established that a sample size of 40 subjects per group would provide 80% power to detect a meaningful clinical difference in a TUG test of one second (SD of three seconds), with pairwise comparison among the three groups at an alpha level of 0.05 (two-tailed test), using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in which the covariate of the baseline measurements of the TUG test was obtained through previous studies.1818. Wright AA, Cook CE, Baxter GD, Dockerty JD, Abbott JH. A comparison of 3 methodological approaches to defining major clinically important improvement of 4 performance measures in patients with hip osteoarthritis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011;41(5):319-27.

Participants

One hundred patients were selected from the Rheumatology Department registers. The inclusion criteria were that the patients should present: ages ranging from 50 to 75 years; a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis according to the criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) using history, physical examination and radiographic findings, knee X-rays in the last 12 months; and osteoarthritis grade 2 or more based on the radiographic classification developed by Kellgren and Lawrence. The exclusion criteria were: use of a pacemaker, unstable cardiac status, attendance in a physical activity program more than twice a week (to avoid influence on the protocol to be tested), inability to ride a stationary bicycle, inability to walk and previous knee arthroplasty. After the screening procedures, the patients were assigned to one of two different groups. The groups were as follows: 1) neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (NMES group; n = 50); and 2) control group (n = 50).

Patient medication

The patients' medications were standardized and remained unchanged during the treatment. Paracetamol was the drug prescribed for pain and diacerein and chloroquine were used to control osteoarthritis.

Interventions

All patients in both groups (NMES group and control group) received an educational guide (Annex 1) and were instructed to use ice packs if they had any swelling of the knee and hot packs if they had any pain without inflammation.

NMES group

The NMES group received an educational guide and underwent quadriceps strengthening exercises and simultaneous NMES treatment. Each patient was seated on a chair, with 90 degrees of hip and knee flexion. The patient was instructed to perform a contraction of the quadriceps whenever NMES was received. An ankle weight was used to test the muscle and provide resistance during knee extension. The strengthening exercise was based on 50-60% of a test using 10 maximum repetitions, instead of a single maximum repetition, in order to avoid the possibility of injury caused by excessive strain.1919. Felício JM. Efeito do treinamento aeróbio associado ao treinamento resistido nas variáveis hemodinâmicas, flexibilidade e força em indivíduos hipertensos [monograph]. Bauru: Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade Estadual Paulista; 2008. Available from: http://www.fc.unesp.br/upload/MONOGRAFIA%20COMPLETA%202008%20PDF.pdf. Accessed in 2012 (Jun 1).
http://www.fc.unesp.br/upload/MONOGRAFIA...
According to the tolerance shown by the patient, the weight load could be increased. The total duration of the sessions was approximately 40 minutes, which included 10 minutes on the exercise bike and hamstring stretching (three times of 30 seconds on each leg) before each NMES treatment.

For NMES application, two self-adhesive electrodes (Valotrude self-adhesive electrode; 7.5 x 13 cm) were positioned on the rectus femoral and vastus medialis muscles. The parameters used were: frequency of 50 Hz; pulse duration of 250 microseconds; time on: 10 seconds; and time off: 30 seconds, for 20 minutes. The intensity of the NMES used was the maximum tolerated by each patient, although this intensity was not recorded. The waveform used was pulsed rectangular biphasic and symmetrical. The equipment used was the ACTIVA 600 (Globus do Brasil Tecnologia Avançada Ltda). Use of rectangular, biphasic pulsed current with a pulse duration ranging from 100 to 400 microseconds and stimulation frequency of 50-100 Hz,2020. Vanderthommen M, Duchateau J. Electrical stimulation as a modality to improve performance of the neuromuscular system. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2007;35(4):180-5. at the maximum intensity tolerated by the patient and with a treatment period ranging from 3 to 12 weeks, is recommended.2121. Shapiro S, Cameron M. Electrical currents. In: Cameron MH. Physical agents in rehabilitation: from research to practice. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2003. p. 249-54.

Control group

The educational guide (Annex 1) was explained verbally and provided as a written explanation for the control group at the beginning of the eight-week period. During this period, the patients received two phone calls to encourage them to follow the educational guidelines. The purpose of the guide was to describe knee osteoarthritis and advise the patients on how to adjust to daily activities, according to their knee symptoms. Thus, the patients were informed about joint and knee osteoarthritis, the signs and symptoms of the disease and the type of daily care that they should have. They were also instructed to use ice packs if they had any swelling of the knee and hot packs if they had any soreness without swelling. The verbal and written explanation used simple and comprehensible language.

Outcome assessment

The pre and post-intervention evaluations were done by a physiotherapist who was blind to the particular treatment used. The outcomes used in our study were based on previous studies on patients with knee osteoarthritis. To define the outcomes used, it was assumed that the interventions of the study would influence them similarly. That similarity was based on a previous knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation study.2222. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP). Points to consider on multiplicity issues in clinical trials. London: The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products; 2002. Available from: http://www.tga.gov.au/pdf/euguide/ewp090899en.pdf. Accessed in 2012 (Jun 1).
http://www.tga.gov.au/pdf/euguide/ewp090...
The Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) has recommended that in defining the outcomes, only those that the intervention is found to influence in a similar manner should be included. Inclusion of an outcome that does not have the capability to detect the effects of a treatment can lead to increased variability and, thus, decreased sensitivity towards demonstrating the real difference between the treatments.2222. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products. Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP). Points to consider on multiplicity issues in clinical trials. London: The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products; 2002. Available from: http://www.tga.gov.au/pdf/euguide/ewp090899en.pdf. Accessed in 2012 (Jun 1).
http://www.tga.gov.au/pdf/euguide/ewp090...

Primary outcomes

The primary outcomes were analyzed through the TUG test and the NRS for pain intensity. The TUG test is a simple and inexpensive method that was developed to assess functional mobility during patients' daily activities. It comprises the following sequence of movements: standing up from a seated position, walking three meters, turning around, walking back, and sitting down again. The time that the patient takes to perform this sequence of movements is recorded, so that it can be compared before and after the treatment.88. Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed “Up & Go”: a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39(2):142-8. In our study, the patients practice before the test was recorded. The best result after three attempts was used as the final result. In the NRS, the participants were asked to score their pain (0 to 10) when walking on a flat surface.2323. Farrar JT, Young JP Jr, LaMoreaux L, Werth JL, Poole RM. Clinical importance of changes in chronic pain intensity measured on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale. Pain. 2001;94(2):149-58. All the questionnaires used were versions that had been translated into and validated for Portuguese.2424. Nigri PZ, Peccin MS, Almeida GJM, Cohen M. Tradução, validação e adaptação cultural da escala de atividade de vida diária. [Translation, validation and cultural adaptation of the ‘activities of daily living' scale (ADLS)]. Acta Ortop Bras. 2007;15(2):101-4.2626. Fernandes MI. Tradução e validação do questionário de qualidade de vida específico para osteoartrose WOMAC (Western Ontario McMaster Universities) para a língua portuguesa [dissetation]. São Paulo: Escola Paulista de Medicina — Universidade Federal de São Paulo; 2003.

Secondary outcomes

The secondary outcomes used were the Lequesne index and the ADL scale.66. Faucher M, Poiraudeau S, Lefevre-Colau MM, et al. Assessment of the test-retest reliability and construct validity of a modified Lequesne index in knee osteoarthritis. Joint Bone Spine. 2003;70(6):521-5.,77. Irrgang JJ, Snyder-Mackler L, Wainner RS, Fu FH, Harner CD. Development of a patient-reported measure of function of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80(8):1132-45. The Lequesne index is a ten-question survey given to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. It is composed of five questions relating to pain or discomfort, one question dealing with the maximum distance walked and four questions about activities of daily living. The total questionnaire is scored on a scale from 0 to 24. Higher scores indicate that there is greater functional impairment. A study by Faucher et al.66. Faucher M, Poiraudeau S, Lefevre-Colau MM, et al. Assessment of the test-retest reliability and construct validity of a modified Lequesne index in knee osteoarthritis. Joint Bone Spine. 2003;70(6):521-5. found that the Lequesne index was a reliable questionnaire.

Irrgang et al.77. Irrgang JJ, Snyder-Mackler L, Wainner RS, Fu FH, Harner CD. Development of a patient-reported measure of function of the knee. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1998;80(8):1132-45. developed and validated the ADL scale. The purpose of this questionnaire is to measure the functional capacity and symptoms of the knee and what impact these have on patients' daily lives. It is composed of 14 items in which patients are asked about symptoms of instability, stiffness, weakness and knee swelling. This questionnaire includes questions about their ability to walk up and down stairs, squat and kneel. The maximum score is 70, but this value is usually converted into a percentage (0-100%).

Statistical analysis

To analyze the effects, the changes to the scores were calculated (follow-up score minus baseline score). To calculate the difference between the groups, we used the principle of analysis by intention to treat (ITT). In the ITT analysis, we used a mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with measurement occasion as a within-group factor and the intervention as a between-group factor. Relationships between observations on different occasions were modeled as an unstructured covariance matrix. No ad hoc imputation was performed to evaluate the differences in changes from the baseline between each of the three conditions. The ITT analyses used differed from the previously published analysis of post-test data in which observations that were missing from post-test evaluations were input by assuming that participants who withdrew were unchanged. Chakraborty and Gu showed that mixed-model analysis without any ad hoc imputation always provides equal or more power than an analysis using mixed models with missing values imputed ad hoc.2727. Chakraborty H, Gu H. A mixed model approach for intent-to-treat analysis in longitudinal clinical trials with missing values. North Carolina: Research Triangle Institute; 2009. Available from: http://www.rti.org/pubs/mr-0009-0904-chakraborty.pdf. Accessed in 2012 (Jun 1).
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The effect size was computed as the difference between the means, divided by the pooled standard deviation, using Cohen's d.2828. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988. These analyses were undertaken using general linear model (GLM) and mixed procedures in the statistical analysis software (SAS) release 9.2 for Windows. P values < 0.05 denote a statistically significant difference in this study.

RESULTS

Participants

The demographic characteristics of the patients regarding gender, treated leg, age, body mass index (BMI) and baseline values for the NRS, TUG test, Lequesne index and ADL scale are described in Table 1. Eighty-two patients completed the study. The percentages that failed to complete for each group were 12% (n = 44) in the NMES group and 24% (n = 38) in the control group (Figure 1).

Figure 1.
Flowchart of the patients randomized and analyzed per group.

Table 1.
Summary of participant demographics and mean baseline values for outcomes

Results for the primary and secondary outcomes

After eight weeks, the NMES group showed a statistically significant improvement in NRS (P < 0.0001), TUG test (P < 0.0001), Lequesne index (P < 0.0001) and ADL scale (P < 0.0001). In the control group, the changes in NRS, TUG test, Lequesne index and ADL scale were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) ( Table 2).

Table 2.
Results before and after intervention

The comparison between groups in the ITT analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in favor of the NMES group regarding the NRS (P = 0.01), ADL scale (P = 0.01) and Lequesne index (P = 0.03) ( Table 3). No statistically significant difference was found in relation to the TUG test, although there was a statistical trend with P = 0.05.

Table 3.
Comparison between groups according to the intention-to-treat analysis

Adverse side effects

An adverse side effect consisting of a hypertensive crisis was experienced by one patient in the NMES group. This may have been due to the use of NMES or to the exercise itself. The contraindications for using NMES were respected, i.e. avoiding the abdomen of pregnant women, areas with tumors, pacemakers, tissue bleeding and areas of active epiphysis.2929. Watson T. Electrotherapy on the web. An Educational Resource. Contraindications. Available from: http://www.electrotherapy.org/modalities/contragrid.htm#estim. Accessed in 2012 (Jun 1).
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DISCUSSION

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of NMES relating to reduction of pain intensity and improvement of mobility, through assessment of pain intensity, functional tests and functional questionnaires. In accordance with our hypothesis, this clinical trial showed that NMES was effective with regard to improvement of pain, function and activities of daily living among patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The study of Talbot et al.1414. Talbot LA, Gaines JM, Ling SM, Metter EJ. A home-based protocol of electrical muscle stimulation for quadriceps muscle strength in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(7):1571-8. compared home-based NMES for the quadriceps muscle with an education group. Post-intervention, the pain intensity decreased and the functional tests showed improvements in both groups, but no significant difference was observed between the groups. In our study, we did not find any improvement in any outcome in the control group, which only received educational guidance. The difference in results between our study and the study by Talbot et al.1414. Talbot LA, Gaines JM, Ling SM, Metter EJ. A home-based protocol of electrical muscle stimulation for quadriceps muscle strength in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(7):1571-8. was possibly because, in their study, NMES was applied at home without supervision by a professional. Thus, factors such as adherence to treatment and differences in electrode positioning and intensity of electric current may have altered the outcome.

In the study by Palmieri-Smith et al.,1313. Palmieri-Smith RM, Thomas AC, Karvonen-Gutierrez C, Sowers M. A clinical trial of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in improving quadriceps muscle strength and activation among women with mild and moderate osteoarthritis. Phys Ther. 2010;90(10):1441-52. a group that received NMES was compared with a group that received no treatment or guidance. Similarly to our results, there was a statistically significant difference in the degree of pain reduction, an improvement in function (only in the 16th week) and no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding improvement in performance tests in the 5th or 16th week.

As mentioned earlier, the TUG test assessment in the present study did not show any statistically significant difference in comparison with the controls in the ITT analysis. Given that the TUG test produced P = 0.05, it is possible that a larger sample size would have shown P < 0.05. In addition, because the patients did not present any significant functional impairment, i.e. there was no significant limitation in relation to walking or getting up from and sitting down on a chair, it is possible that the TUG test was unable to effectively detect changes in mobility among patients that functionality questionnaires detect. Performance tests do not necessarily reflect aspects of individual mobility, because they are isolated activities. Therefore, the time or distance results recorded using the tests performed need to be assessed in association with functionality questionnaires and should not be analyzed in isolation.3030. Stratford PW, Kennedy D, Pagura SM, Gollish JD. The relationship between self-report and performance-related measures: questioning the content validity of timed tests. Arthritis Rheum. 2003,49(4):535-40. According to the study by Wright et al.,1717. Moher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, et al. CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: Updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(8):e1-37. among the four tests that assessed performance (40-m self-paced walk test, 30-s chair-stand and 20-cm step test), only the TUG test did not detect any statistically significant improvement in the group of patients who were examined using the global change rating score (GCRS), among those who reported improvement after the treatment.

A systematic review published in the Cochrane Library assessed the effectiveness of NMES applied before and after total knee arthroplasty. It was deduced, based on the results from two studies, that no conclusion could be reached regarding the effectiveness of NMES among this group of patients. It is also worth noting that these two studies presented a high risk of methodological bias.3131. Monaghan B, Caulfield B, O'Mathúna DP. Surface neuromuscular electrical stimulation for quadriceps strengthening pre and post total knee replacement. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(1):CD007177. Another comprehensive study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of NMES after surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament.3232. Kim KM, Croy T, Hertel J, Saliba S. Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on quadriceps strength, function, and patient-oriented outcomes: a systematic review. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(7):383-91. Based on eight studies that were included in the analysis, it was concluded that NMES combined with exercises can be effective in improving quadriceps strength within the first four weeks post-operation. It is considered that NMES may have beneficial effects in terms of improving patients' functional capabilities, but more studies are needed in order to provide a more accurate conclusion. With regard to functional performance tests, there is insufficient evidence to indicate whether NMES has positive or negative effects on functional performance among such patients.3333. Steffen TM, Hacker TA, Mollinger L. Age- and gender-related test performance in community-dwelling elderly people: Six-Minute Walk Test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and gait speeds. Phys Ther. 2002;82(2):128-37.

The statistical analysis used in this study was performed using the intention-to-treat principle. ITT analysis takes into account all randomized patients. When ITT analysis is performed, the protocol violations that occur after randomization and might have an impact on the data and conclusions are minimized. Thus, ITT analysis should be performed because it avoids overestimation of the effect.1717. Moher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, et al. CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: Updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(8):e1-37. According to CONSORT,1717. Moher D, Hopewell S, Schulz KF, et al. CONSORT 2010 Explanation and Elaboration: Updated guidelines for reporting parallel group randomised trials. J Clin Epidemiol. 2010;63(8):e1-37. ITT analysis is widely recommended as the preferred analysis strategy.

One possible limitation of the present study was the lack of registration of NMES intensity. However, the patients were often asked whether the intensity could be increased. Therefore, in accordance with previous studies,1111. Lewek M, Stevens J, Snyder-Mackler L. The use of electrical stimulation to increase quadriceps femoris muscle force in an elderly patient following a total knee arthroplasty. Phys Ther. 2001;81(9):1565-71.,1515. Rosemffet MG, Schneeberger EE, Citera G, et al. Effects of functional electrostimulation on pain, muscular strength, and functional capacity in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Clin Rheumatol. 2004;10(5):246-9. we used the maximum intensity tolerated by the patients.

CONCLUSION

NMES, within a rehabilitation protocol for patients with knee osteoarthritis, is effective with regard to improving pain, function and activities of daily living among these patients.

The purpose of this manual is to explain osteoarthritis and to teach how you can adjust yourself to your daily activities, according to the knee symptoms.

Try to make a serious effort to follow our guidance for your own benefit!

The knee

The knee joint is composed of three bones: the femur (thigh bone), the patella (kneecap) and the tibia (lower leg bone). It has muscles, a capsule, ligaments, a meniscus and the cartilage that lines the bones and protects them from impact. The knee joint supports nearly the whole weight of our body.

What is osteoarthritis?

It is a disease caused by breakdown of cartilage in the joints. The layers in the cartilage become damaged and, with time, they lose their function of smoothing the contact between the bone surface and the joints. Pain is caused as a result of friction between one bone and another in the absence of or with diminished joint cartilage.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Patients with osteoarthritis may feel some pain, especially when starting a movement, as in morning stiffness or after immobilization. With time, the pain may intensify and become continuous. The presence of a crackling sound is often present when moving the knees.

What kind of difficulties might I have in my daily life?

The difficulties found in daily life vary according to the patients' symptoms. In general, however, patients experience pain and difficulty when the affected knee bears the body's weight, or when going up and down stairs or walking.

What should I do when my knee is painful?

Doctors can prescribe treatment for osteoarthritis. However, a simple way to relieve the pain is to use a warm to hot water bottle over the knee joint (be careful not to burn the skin, use a protective cover and test the water temperature before using the hot water bottle).

What if my knee is swollen?

To manage the swelling, you can combine rest, use of an ice pack and elevation of the leg above heart level. The ice pack should be placed over the knee joint for 20 minutes.

What else is recommended?

  1. If you are overweight, losing a few kilos will reduce the stress on the joint.

  2. Wear comfortable shoes with a rubber sole and without high heels.

  3. If you experience pain when walking, use a cane as an aid.

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to all patients who participated in this study; Dr. Milton Mizsputen, responsible for the radiographic classification; the head supervisor of the Interlagos Specialty Ambulatory Clinic; and the Brazilian Cochrane Center

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  • This study is based on the first author's PhD thesis. The thesis was presented at the Federal Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) on February 28, 2011
  • Sources of funding: This study was supported by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp) – Grant number 07575636
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      Apr 2013

    History

    • Reviewed
      15 Nov 2011
    • Received
      19 Mar 2012
    • Accepted
      2 July 2012
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