Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRET), an endogenous diathermy treatment, has been demonstrated to reduce pain and improve quality of life in numerous orthopedic degenerative and inflammatory problems but not in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to evaluate whether a 2-week program of CRET can reduce pain, stiffness and functional limitations in KOA compared with a sham treatment. Patients with KOA were randomly assigned to a study group (n = 31) or a control one (n = 22). The study group underwent six intermittent CRET applications, whereas the controls underwent a sham protocol without application of energy. The outcome measures were the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) (primary outcome) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and Medical Research Council Scale (secondary outcomes). All patients were evaluated before treatment (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and at 1 (T2) and 3 months after treatment (T3). Results showed that CRET significantly improved strength, physical function and pain in patients with KOA. In the study group a reduction in WOMAC and VAS scores was observed at T1, T2, and T3 compared with T0. No significant changes of WOMAC and VAS scores were observed in the control group across all time points. Considering the small number of sessions, low cost and long-term benefits, CRET might be a useful therapeutic option for the conservative management of KOA to reduce pain, stiffness and functional limitation.

Effects of capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy in patients with painful shoulder impingement syndrome: a comparative study

“…Capacitive and resistive electric transfer therapy (CARE), an endogenous diathermic treatment, reduces pain and improves quality of life for several orthopaedic degenerative and inflammatory problems. 1 Its positive effects include greater blood circulation, which allows the removal of inflammatory catabolites. 2,3 Bito et al 4 reported that CARE substantially improves blood circulation in the peritendinous region and increases haemoglobin saturation.…”

“…In contrast, microwave diathermy works only at high temperatures and is thus indicated preferentially for post-acute and chronic phases. 1,9 Rotator cuff tendinopathy is the most common painful non-traumatic shoulder condition, affecting approximately 20% of the population and increasing in prevalence with age. 10,11 As the pain assumes the characteristics of an acute condition, CARE therapy could be a useful tool in the rehabilitation of this condition.…”

Accelerometric Changes before and after Capacitive Resistive Electric Transfer Therapy in Horses with Thoracolumbar Pain Compared to a SHAM Procedure

“…In addition, the horses were subjected to only four sessions and probably a higher number of sessions would have resulted in more evident accelerometric changes. In fact, between 6 and 10 sessions have been reported to result in improved function and disability and reduced pain in human beings with low back pain [21], myofascial chronic pain [22], knee osteoarthritis [23,38] and shoulder impingement syndrome [39].…”

“…The CRET group was subjected to a total of four CRET sessions, applied 2 days/week, during 2 consecutive weeks. The number of sessions per week was chosen on the basis of previous clinical reports in human patients with different musculoskeletal disorders, which described improved function and reduced pain when this therapy was applied 2-3 days/week [21][22][23]. Sedation was not needed for the treatment.…”

Efficacy of postoperative drainage in total knee arthroplasty: Review of the literature

“…The debate on total knee replacement (TKR) is therefore always more intense in order to perfect the technique. [2][3][4] The focus is on many variables that can affect the outcomes of TKA, including preoperative clinical plan, implantation technique, selection of implant materials and intra-and postoperative strategies. [5][6] In the following discussion, our review is located and focused on the application of postoperative intraarticular wound drainage in total knee prosthetics.…”