Efficiency of Action Potential Simulation (APS) therapy in compare to Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Introduction: The knee joint osteoarthritis is one of the most important causes of musculoskeletal pains and disability. Beside the medical treatments, rehabilitation and physiotherapy has a major role in reducing the pain and improving the function of patients with knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the Action Potential Simulation (APS) and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) modalities in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods and Materials: In a clinical trial in the Physical medicine and rehabilitation department of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences on 70 patients with knee joint osteoarthritis, we compared the two APS and TENS in patients with knee osteoarthritis and their effect on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index. Results: Over all, 5(7.1%) of patients was male and 65(92.9%) was female, the mean age of the patients was 57.1 +/- 7.7 years in the range of 50 to 85 years. The mean VAS score before the intervention was 7 +/- 1.9 in the APS group which was reduced to 4.5 +/- 1.9. the mean VAS score in the TENS groups was decreased from 6.8 +/- 1.2 to 4.6 +/- 1.9 which there was significant difference for two groups (p<0.001). The overall changes in the total score of the WOMAC and Timed up and go test before and after the treatment was significant in both groups (P<0.001). Conclusion: With regard to the findings of our study we can conclude that both APS and TENS modalities are effective in the pain relief and improving the functions of knee joints in the patients with knee osteoarthritis and they have no benefits to each other. [Toopchizadeh V, Babaei-Ghazani A, Eftekhar Sadat B. Efficiency of Action Potential Simulation (APS) therapy in compare to Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in knee osteoarthritis. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):3790-3794] (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 563