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document
Use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device in Early Osteoarthritis of the Knee . Some have proposed the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS ) as an adjunct to the current standard of care in treatment of osteoarthritis knee pain . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of TENS on the following issues in patients who have early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee : ( 1 ) pain reduction ; ( 2 ) subjective and ( 3 ) objective functional improvements ; ( 4 ) quality-of-life ( QOL ) measure improvements ; and ( 5 ) isokinetic strength . A prospective , randomized , and single-blinded trial was performed on 23 patients who were randomized to either novel TENS device or standard of care . Metrics analyzed included stair-climb test ; timed-up-and-go test ( TUGT ) ; 2-minute walk test ; 20 times , single leg 6-inch step test ; five-repetition chair-rise test ; active and passive range-of-motion ( ROM ) score ; short form health survey-36 scores ( SF-36 ) score ; Knee Society Score ( KSS ) ; lower extremity functional scale ( LEFS ) ; visual analog scale ( VAS ) ; and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring strength . In objective functional scores , TENS had significant improvements in TUGT and objective KSS when compared with the matching cohort . Subjective functional and QOL outcomes patients had a significant improvement of their LEFS and SF-36 physical component with the use of TENS brace . The TENS device significantly improved the quadriceps strength when compared with standard therapy . In evaluation for improvement within the TENS cohort , patients had a significant improvement at 3-month follow-up in the TUG test , timed stair-climb test , 20-times single leg , KSS , LEFS , and SF-36 physical component compared to their initial visit . In addition , within the TENS cohort , patients had a significant reduction in pain via VAS at their 3-month follow-up . In conclusion , the use of TENS for 3 months has shown encouraging results to improve pain , function , and QOL in patients with painful osteoarthritic knees , and could positively contribute as an adjunct to current nonoperative treatment of knee arthritis . However , given our small sample size , larger randomized studies are needed to further evaluate these outcomes .
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Intervention_Physical
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Device
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Intervention_Physical
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation ( TENS )
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Intervention_Physical
TENS
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Intervention_Physical
novel TENS device or standard of care .
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Participant_Condition
Early Osteoarthritis of the Knee .
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Participant_Condition
osteoarthritis knee pain .
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Participant_Condition
patients who have early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee :
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Participant_Sample-size
23 patients
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Participant_Condition
patients with painful osteoarthritic knees