Comparative effects of burst mode alternating current and resisted exercise on physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis

Omole, JO, Egwu, MO, Mbada, CE, Awotidebe, TO and Onigbinde, AT (2017) Comparative effects of burst mode alternating current and resisted exercise on physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength among patients with primary knee osteoarthritis. Rehabilitacja Medyczna, 21 (2). pp. 10-18. ISSN 1427-9622

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Abstract

Background and objective: The beneficial effect of Resisted Exercise (RE) in Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) rehabilitation is often hamstrung by the presence of other comorbidities affecting exercise implementation, hence the need for comparative alternative therapies. This study compared the effect of Burst Mode Alternating Current (BMAC) and RE in the management of patients with knee OA. Methods: Forty-seven consenting patients with primary knee OA participated in this study. The participants were recruited from the outpatient physiotherapy department of a Nigerian teaching hospital. The participants were randomly assigned into either RE plus BMAC (RBMAC) or RE Only (REO) groups. The effects of intervention were assessed in terms of physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength at the 4th and 8th week of intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data at p<0.05 alpha level. Result: RBMAC and REO led to significant mean changes in physical function (RBMAC – p=0.001: REO – p=0.001), pain intensity (RBMAC − p=0.001: REO – p=0.001), and muscle strength (RBMAC − p=0.001: REO – p=0.001) scores. However, there was no significant difference in the mean change in physical function, pain intensity or muscle strength scores between RE plus BMAC and RE only groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, resisted exercise alone had significant effects on physical function, pain intensity and quadriceps strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. However, burst mode alternating current did not show additional effects.