**Effect of Nonpharmacological Therapies on Pain and Health Perception in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis**

Paweł Lizis, Wojciech Kobza, Grzegorz Mańko,

Marcin Sitarz and Jarosław Pyka

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/66477

#### **Abstract**

**Objective:** Comparing the efficiency of ultrasound therapy (US) versus extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on pain and perceived health in men with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA). **Design**: A pilot randomized trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis was conducted.

**Participants:** 60 men, 44–66 years old were randomized to an experimental (US) and a control (ESWT) group. **Intervention:** The participants in both groups attended 5-week treatments. The experimental group received continuous US and a series of 10 treatments two times per week. The control group received 5 ESWT treatments once per week. **Outcome measures:** The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS) pain ratings. The secondary outcome measured perceived health using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The examinations were taken before and after the treatment. **Results:** After 5-week treatment the experimental group had significantly worse scores than the control group on the VAS for pain, and on the WOMAC for perceived health. **Conclusion:** Patients with knee OA can achieve significant better health benefits caused by ESWT than by US.

**Keywords:** ultrasound, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, pain, perceived health, randomized trial
