Extracorporeal shockwave therapy vs. kinesiotherapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative, painful pathology, needing conservative treatment for symptoms' relief. Comparing the effects of Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and Kinesiotherapy (KIN) on perceived health and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee. A pilot randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, intention-to-treat analysis. Forty participants, aged 40-75 with OA of the knee were randomized to an ESWT and a KIN groups. The ESWT group completed 5 interventions for 5 weeks, the KIN group completed the same number of interventions. All evaluations were performed at baseline and after the treatment for: perceived health (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities questionnaire - WOMAC), range of motion (ROM). After the intervention the statistical significant between groups differences favoring the ESWT were found in the WOMAC with regard to pain (p< 0.000), stiffness (p= 0.018), physical function (p< 0.000), total score (p< 0.000), extension and flexion of the affected knee (p= 0.015, p< 0.000) respectively. ESWT improves WOMAC and ROM better then KIN on the affected knee in patients with OA of the knee.