Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: August | Volume: 9 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 140-148
Efficacy of Russian Current on Pain, Strength of Quadriceps and Function in Subjects with Primary Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Pratibha Prabha1, Bibhuti Sarkar2, Pravin Kumar3
1Professional Trainee (PT), 2Demonstrator, (PT), 3Assistant professor, (PT)
Department of Physiotherapy, National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (Divyangjan) (NILD), B.T. Road, Bonhoogly, Kolkata-700090, West Bengal, India.
Corresponding Author: Pratibha Prabha
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of Russian current on pain, strength of quadriceps and function in subjects with primary knee osteoarthritis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: 31 subjects with primary knee osteoarthritis were included and randomly assigned in two groups. Group-A (n=16) received Russian current along with supervised exercises, Group-B (n=15) received supervised exercises only, for 5 session per week for 2 consecutive weeks. Pain intensity was measured using numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Isometric strength of quadriceps muscle (SOQ) was measured using Handheld Dynamometer and function was assessed using Lysholm knee scoring scale (LYSH). These outcome parameters were measured at pre-intervention, post- intervention and at the end of 4 weeks of follow up.
RESULTS: Baseline data were homogenous (p>0.05) for age, gender, BMI, NPRS, SOQ & LYSH score. Within group analysis shown statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in both the Groups for all parameters after 2 & 4 weeks of treatment. However between group analysis shown statistically insignificant difference.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggested that supervised exercises with Russian current and supervised exercises alone were effective management strategies for primary knee osteoarthritis in relieving pain, improving strength of quadriceps and function, however no added effect of Russian current was found.
Key words: Isometric strength, NPRS, LYSH, SOQ, Hand held dynamometer, Osteoarthritis and Russian current.