Effectiveness of combined Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation and knee exercise program on pain and knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis at Udonthani Hospital

Abstract

Physical therapy using Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and knee exercises is one of the options to reduce pain and improve muscle strength, while also helping to prevent complications in patients with osteoarthritis. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS combined with knee exercises on pain relief and knee function in 42 patients with osteoarthritis who received treatment at the Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Udonthani Hospital. The participants were divided into two groups, with 21 participants in each: an experimental group treated with TENS combined with knee exercises and a control group treated with TENS only. All participants received treatment for four weeks. The participants completed a questionnaire on demopraphic information and osteoarthritis severity, assessed using the Modified Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U Test, and the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Rank Test. The results showed that after treatment, the WOMAC score for pain in the experimental group decreased from 10.40±6.38 to 6.33±6.38. The stiffness score decreased from 7.67±4.52 to 3.29±4.19, and the knee function score decreased from 45.71±27.46 to 19.86±20.39. In the control group, the WOMAC score for pain decreased from 16.86±9.55 to 12.95±9.17, the stiffness score decreased from 6.71±3.61 to 5.10±3.16, and the knee function score decreased from 48.33±25.99 to 37.67±25.99. When comparing the results between the two groups, the experimental group showed significantly better WOMAC scores in all components than the control group (p-value < 0.05). In conclusion, TENS treatment combined with knee exercises for four weeks is effective in reduceing pain, stiffness, and knee dysfunction. Therefore, this combined treatment should be provided to improve the ability to perform daily activities, leading to a better quality of life for patients.