The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of a NMES device in improving pain and function for individuals with KOA. Method: This was a randomised, sham-controlled, superiority trial recruiting individuals with symptomatic KOA, with both participants and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment alloc...

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Main Authors: Samuel Briggs-Price, George Mills, Linzy Houchen-Wolloff, Enya Daynes, Charlotte Gerlis, Lorna E. Latimer, Colin Esler, Darren Targett, Sally J. Singh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000433
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author Samuel Briggs-Price
George Mills
Linzy Houchen-Wolloff
Enya Daynes
Charlotte Gerlis
Lorna E. Latimer
Colin Esler
Darren Targett
Sally J. Singh
author_facet Samuel Briggs-Price
George Mills
Linzy Houchen-Wolloff
Enya Daynes
Charlotte Gerlis
Lorna E. Latimer
Colin Esler
Darren Targett
Sally J. Singh
author_sort Samuel Briggs-Price
collection DOAJ
description Objective: To explore the effectiveness of a NMES device in improving pain and function for individuals with KOA. Method: This was a randomised, sham-controlled, superiority trial recruiting individuals with symptomatic KOA, with both participants and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment allocation. Participants were randomised to receive either self-administered NMES, consisting of quadriceps (5 times a week) and footplate stimulation (7 times a week), or a sham device for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain domain at week 8. Results: 179 participants were randomised; 50.8 ​% female, mean (SD) age 66.9 (8.7) years. 164 attended the follow up visit. No difference in the WOMAC pain domain was seen between groups (−0.7; 95 ​% CI: −1.5, 0.1; P ​= ​0.10), though within group improvements were reported in both groups (NMES: −1.5; 95 ​% CI: −2.0, 0.8; P ​< ​0.01, sham: −0.8; 95 ​% CI: −1.4, 0.2; P ​< ​0.01). There were no differences in strength, exercise and functional capacity, swelling, health related quality of life or anxiety and depression between groups. Sub-group analysis for NMES compliance or recruitment source did not change response in primary outcome. Conclusion: Use of an NMES device on the quadriceps and plantar flexors did not enhance pain relief or improve function over the sham control in people with KOA.
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spelling doaj-art-cede3b3e021a42fc8ab9b489227f30e42025-08-20T02:32:54ZengElsevierOsteoarthritis and Cartilage Open2665-91312025-06-017210060710.1016/j.ocarto.2025.100607The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trialSamuel Briggs-Price0George Mills1Linzy Houchen-Wolloff2Enya Daynes3Charlotte Gerlis4Lorna E. Latimer5Colin Esler6Darren Targett7Sally J. Singh8Centre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United KingdomCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom; Corresponding author. Centre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.Centre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United KingdomCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United KingdomCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United KingdomCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United KingdomOrthopaedics, Leicester General Hospital, University Hospitals of Leicester, Gwendolen Road, Leicester, LE5 4PW, United KingdomPrimoris Contract Solutions Ltd, Ascot, Berkshire, United KingdomCentre for Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre – Respiratory, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom; Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United KingdomObjective: To explore the effectiveness of a NMES device in improving pain and function for individuals with KOA. Method: This was a randomised, sham-controlled, superiority trial recruiting individuals with symptomatic KOA, with both participants and outcome assessors blinded to the treatment allocation. Participants were randomised to receive either self-administered NMES, consisting of quadriceps (5 times a week) and footplate stimulation (7 times a week), or a sham device for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain domain at week 8. Results: 179 participants were randomised; 50.8 ​% female, mean (SD) age 66.9 (8.7) years. 164 attended the follow up visit. No difference in the WOMAC pain domain was seen between groups (−0.7; 95 ​% CI: −1.5, 0.1; P ​= ​0.10), though within group improvements were reported in both groups (NMES: −1.5; 95 ​% CI: −2.0, 0.8; P ​< ​0.01, sham: −0.8; 95 ​% CI: −1.4, 0.2; P ​< ​0.01). There were no differences in strength, exercise and functional capacity, swelling, health related quality of life or anxiety and depression between groups. Sub-group analysis for NMES compliance or recruitment source did not change response in primary outcome. Conclusion: Use of an NMES device on the quadriceps and plantar flexors did not enhance pain relief or improve function over the sham control in people with KOA.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000433Knee osteoarthritisElectrical stimulationNMESRandomised controlled trialSham
spellingShingle Samuel Briggs-Price
George Mills
Linzy Houchen-Wolloff
Enya Daynes
Charlotte Gerlis
Lorna E. Latimer
Colin Esler
Darren Targett
Sally J. Singh
The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open
Knee osteoarthritis
Electrical stimulation
NMES
Randomised controlled trial
Sham
title The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
title_full The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
title_fullStr The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
title_short The effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on WOMAC pain in knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial
title_sort effects of combining electrical stimulation of the calf and thigh muscles on womac pain in knee osteoarthritis a double blind randomised sham controlled trial
topic Knee osteoarthritis
Electrical stimulation
NMES
Randomised controlled trial
Sham
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913125000433
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