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Localized hyperthermia induced by microwave diathermy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effects of hyperthermia on knee osteoarthritis (OA) in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial.

Methods

Sixty-three patients with clinical evidence and radiographic confirmation of knee OA (Kellgren and Lawrence grades II and III) were randomized to either three 30-min sessions of hyperthermia per week for 4 weeks were administered using a 433.92 MHZ microwave generator or receive placebo treatment (machine not turned on) for same number of sessions. The Western Ontario McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire and the Timed Up and Go test (TUGT), a performance-based measure of function, were obtained at baseline (week 0), at the end of treatment (week 4), and at final follow-up (week 16).

Results

The treatment group showed a significant decrease in the overall WOMAC score and each of its components, and in the TGUG test between the beginning (week 0) and the end of treatment (week 4), as well as at final follow-up (week 16). In the placebo group, a significant fall was only visible in the pain subscore at week 4. However, the mean improvement was only 1 point and was lost at final follow-up (P = 0.332). There was a significant difference in pain −7.4 pre-post (P < 0.01), −8.1 pre-follow-up (P < 0.01); stiffness −4.6 pre-post (P < 0.01), −5.1 pre-follow-up (P < 0.01); activities daily living (ADL) −30.9 pre-post (P < 0.01), −33.2 pre-follow-up (P < 0.01); and WOMAC total score −43 pre-post (P < 0.01), −46.4 pre-follow-up (P < 0.01); and in TGUG test −2.4 pre-post (P < 0.01), −2.9 pre-follow-up (P < 0.01) between the treatment and placebo group over the whole length of the trial.

Conclusions

A 433.92 MHz microwave hyperthermia regimen showed beneficial effects in patients with moderate knee OA to reduce pain and to improve their physical function.

Level of evidence

I.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy

    Arrigo Giombini & Maurizio Ripani

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Annalisa Di Cesare

  3. Department of Social Policy, London School of Economics, London, UK

    Mariachiara Di Cesare

  4. Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, UK, England

    Nicola Maffulli

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  1. Arrigo Giombini
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  2. Annalisa Di Cesare
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  3. Mariachiara Di Cesare
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  5. Nicola Maffulli
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Correspondence to Nicola Maffulli.

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Giombini, A., Di Cesare, A., Di Cesare, M. et al. Localized hyperthermia induced by microwave diathermy in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 19, 980–987 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-010-1350-7

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