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Effects of Including Interferential Current in a Therapeutic Exercise Program in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Sponsor: University of Nove de Julho
Summary
The first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in terms of pain and functionality is physical exercise. The use of interferential current (IC) associated with other resources may be beneficial in reducing pain intensity and improving functionality. However, the effects of its simultaneous use with therapeutic exercise have not yet been fully established. The aim of this project will be to evaluate the effects of including IC in a therapeutic exercise program in relation to pain intensity, functionality, self-efficacy, maximum voluntary contraction and overall perceived effect in individuals with KOA. Therefore, research participants of both sexes, between 40 and 75 years old, with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral KOA, who have knee pain for more than 3 months, with a minimum score of 3 points on the numerical pain scale, morning stiffness for less than 30 minutes, crepitation, bone sensitivity, and absence of palpable heat will be recruited. The research participants will be randomized into three groups: therapeutic exercises (n=46) and therapeutic exercises + IC (n=46) and therapeutic exercises + IC placebo (n=46). Eight consecutive weeks of treatment will be carried out. The research participants will be evaluated before the intervention, after the end of the intervention of eight consecutive weeks of intervention and after four weeks at the end of the last week of intervention, through the instruments: numeric pain scale (NPS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), patient-specific functional scale (EFEP), Pain self-efficacy questionnaire (PSEQ), maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), 30-second sit-to-stand test (TSL30s), global perception scale (EPG). For data analysis, a normality test will be used to verify the distribution of the data and a statistical test appropriate for the appropriate intra and inter-group comparisons, thus considering two factors in the comparisons, time and group. A significance level of 5% will be adopted.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
40 Years - 75 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
138
Start Date
2025-01-20
Completion Date
2026-05-28
Last Updated
2026-03-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Therapeutic Exercise
The therapeutic exercise program includes a warm-up, resistance, neuromuscular, mobility, and balance exercises.
Interferential Current
However, the interferential current will be applied at the end of the therapeutic exercises. In this way, the IC will be used through a device (Endophasys® - NMS-0501, KLD Biosistemas® Equipamentos Eletrônicos Ltda). Four electrodes (8x5 cm), two upper and two lower (forming a square), will be positioned around the center of the knee. The parameters used were as follows: carrier current frequency of 4000 Hz; amplitude modulated frequency of 50 Hz; sweep frequency of 50 Hz; oscillation pattern of 1:1 second, and the amplitude of the current will be increased until the research participants report strong but comfortable and non-painful stimulation paresthesia. The interferential current will be applied for 30 minutes.
placebo interferential current
However, the interferential current will be applied at the end of the therapeutic exercises. In this way, the IC will be used through a device (Endophasys® - NMS-0501, KLD Biosistemas® Equipamentos Eletrônicos Ltda). Four electrodes (8x5 cm), two upper and two lower (forming a square), will be positioned around the center of the knee. The parameters used were as follows: carrier current frequency of 4000 Hz; amplitude modulated frequency of 50 Hz; sweep frequency of 50 Hz; oscillation pattern of 1:1 second, and the amplitude of the current will be increased until the research participants report strong but comfortable and non-painful stimulation paresthesia. The device will only be turned on in the first minute
Locations (1)
University of Nove de Julho
São Paulo, Brazil