Effect Of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field And Microwave Therapy On Pain And Physical Function In Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background and purpose: Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and microwaves (MW) are two electrotherapy modalities that have shown to improve pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these therapies is controversial due to diversity in the application parameters and treatment protocols in these patients. The objective is to compare the effectiveness of active PEMF versus MW, as well as sham PEMF, in addressing pain and improving functionality for treating KOA.

Methods: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Participants diagnosed with KOA were assigned to an intervention combining an exercise program with active PEMF, MW, or sham PEMF, delivered in three weekly sessions over four weeks. The main outcomes were pain, reported on a 0–10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS), and functionality, as evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis (WOMAC) questionnaire, and the Timed Up and Go test. The outcomes were measured at pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and one and four months after the intervention.

研究背景与目的：脉冲电磁场（Pulsed Electromagnetic Field, PEMF）治疗与微波（Microwaves, MW）疗法是两种电疗手段，已有研究证实其可改善膝骨关节炎（Knee Osteoarthritis, KOA）患者的疼痛症状与肢体功能。然而，由于此类患者的治疗应用参数与方案存在差异，这两种疗法的临床有效性尚存争议。本研究旨在对比活性PEMF、微波疗法与伪刺激PEMF在治疗膝骨关节炎时缓解疼痛、改善肢体功能的有效性。

研究方法：本研究为双盲、安慰剂对照的随机临床试验。确诊为膝骨关节炎的受试者被随机分配至运动联合活性PEMF、微波疗法或伪刺激PEMF的干预组，干预方案为每周3次，持续4周。主要结局指标包括：采用0~10cm视觉模拟评分法（Visual Analogue Scale, VAS）评估的疼痛程度，以及通过西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎问卷（Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Questionnaire, WOMAC）与计时起身行走试验（Timed Up and Go test）评估的肢体功能。分别于干预前、干预即刻、干预后1个月及4个月时对上述结局指标进行评估。