A Study on efficacy of Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy & Interferential Therapy along with Exercise in Osteoarthritis Induced Knee Pain

Abstract

Introduction: Pulsed electromagnetic energy (PEME)&Interferential Therapy (IFT) are very common non-pharmacologic interventions used to control pain in knee osteoarthritis. Aims & Objectives: The purpose of the study was an effort to find out the efficacy of Pulsed electromagnetic Energy&Interferential Therapy to control the pain in osteoarthritis of knee. Study Design & Methodology: The study was experimental, pre&post design. Ninety osteoarthritis patients who were suffering with osteoarthritis between age group 40-65 years from the Department of Physiotherapy and Department of Orthopedics, PGIMER, Chandigarh were chosen for the study & randomly distributed in 3 groups. Electrotherapy modalities (PEME&IFT) were administered for Group A (PEME) and Group B (IFT),Group C was treated with Exercises only. PEME&IFT was applied three times weekly for 8 weeks. The exercises&hot water fomentation were carried out daily by all the three groups (Group A, Group B&Group C). The severity of knee pain was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in a weight bearing position (walking or standing) in parallel bars. Western Ontario McMaster universities (WOMAC) index of osteoarthritis was used to assess pain, stiffness, and physical function. SPSS-Version20 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The Intra group analysis show significant p-values (p 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that all the electrotherapies administered (Pulsed electromagnetic energy, IFT) help to reduce pain in knee osteoarthritis but none of the modality proved more effective than others.