Comparing the Effect of High-intensity and Low-intensity Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Pain Relief and Functional Activity Improvement in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal disorder in elderly people, and the most common form appears in the knee joint. These patients suffer from pain, joint stiffness, and problems with functional activities. So, it is essential to offer a proper treatment plan for these patients. Objectives: The goal of this research is to compare the effect of high- and low-intensity transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy on reducing pain and improvement of functional activity. Methods: Using simple randomization method, a total of 36 patients were divided into two groups receiving high- and low-intensity TENS therapy. All patients received ten sessions of physiotherapy (three sessions per week). Pain and functional activities were measured and compared before and after the study. Results: Although there was a significant difference between the two groups in pain index (P < 0.05), no difference in functional activity was observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Using both high- and low-intensity techniques can be effective in reducing the pain and improving the knee joint function. However, pain decreased more significantly in the high-intensity group compared to low-intensity group.