The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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Comparison of the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential current therapies in central sensitization in patients with knee osteoarthritis

  • Sahide Eda Artuc (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Health Sciences Ankara Gaziler Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital) ;
  • Asli caliskan Uckun (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Izmir Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital) ;
  • Filiz Acar Sivas (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara City Hospital) ;
  • Fatma Gul Yurdakul (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara City Hospital) ;
  • Hatice Bodur (Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara City Hospital)
  • Received : 2023.04.10
  • Accepted : 2023.06.16
  • Published : 2023.07.01
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Abstract

Background: This study is primarily aimed to determine whether transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) treatments have any effect on central sensitization (CS) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate which treatment is more effective. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 80 patients were randomized into four treatment groups: TENS, Plasebo-TENS, IFC, and Plasebo-IFC. All interventions were applied 5 times a week for 2 weeks. Primary outcome was pressure pain threshold (PPT), which is accepted as the objective indicator of CS, at the painful knee and at the shoulder as a painless distant point. Other outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Timed Up and Go Test, pain catastrophizing scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Results: All assessment parameters were improved, without a significant difference among the groups except PPT. PPT scores were significantly improved in TENS and IFC groups when compared with the sham groups at 2 weeks and 3 months. In addition, this improvement was even more pronounced in the TENS group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the patient's inclusion in the TENS group, an initial high PPT, and an initial low VAS score were independent risk factors for improvement in the PPT. Conclusions: This study shows that TENS and IFC reduced pain sensitivity as compared to placebo groups in patients with knee OA. This effect was more pronounced in the TENS group.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank the participants in the study.

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