Effectiveness of physical therapy, restricted to electrotherapy and exercise, for osteoarthritis of the knee
The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services
Record ID 32005000204
Norwegian
Authors' objectives:
The aim of this report was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy, restricted to electrotherapy and exercise, for osteoarthritis of the knee. The clinical endpoints were pain, physical function, sickness days and quality of life.
Authors' recommendations:
Both home based exercise and exercise led by a physical therapist improved pain, function and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The exercise programs must last for a minimum of eight weeks to give significant effects.
Both laser and TENS gave significant effects on pain relief at the end of treatment (2-4 weeks). However, the evidence for the effects by laser is weaker than for TENS. There is a lack of evidence regarding effect on osteoarthritis of the knee after treatments including ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic fields.
The effect of physiotherapy (exercise, laser and TENS) persist for 1-3 months after the end of treatment.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.nokc.no/filer/rapport7-04.pdf
Year Published:
2004
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Norway
MeSH Terms
- Electric Stimulation Therapy
- Exercise Therapy
- Osteoarthritis, Knee
- Physical Therapy Modalities
Contact
Organisation Name:
Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Contact Address:
Universitetsgata 2, Postbox 7004 St. Olavs plass, NO-0310 Oslo NORWAY. Tel: +47 23 25 50 00; Fax: +47 23 25 50 10;
Contact Name:
Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no
Contact Email:
Berit.Morland@nokc.no, dagny.fredheim@nokc.no
Copyright:
The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.