Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of spinal manipulation therapy of the SIJ versus TENS therapy of the quadriceps muscle to overcome muscle inhibition in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The data from the two different groups was analyzed to determine which treatment intervention was the most effective in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis with regards to pain, function and muscle strength. Method: This clinical trial was a comparative, quantitative, and randomized study that consisted of a total of 30 male and female participants between the ages 40-65 years old. Upon meeting the inclusion criteria for knee osteoarthritis, participants were randomly allocated into two groups of fifteen. Group A received TENS therapy to the ipsilateral quadriceps muscles at home while group B received spinal manipulation to the ipsilateral SIJ. Treatment sessions were performed over three weeks on alternate days with treatment intervening on days 1 through 6. Pain and function measures were recorded using the WOMAC questionnaire during the initial and final consultation. A maximal isometric contraction test of the quadriceps muscles was indicative of the severity of muscle inhibition and was measured using the Cybex dynamometer at visit 1,4 and 7. Results: Data analysis of WOMAC questionnaire showed a statistical significance for both, group A and group B. This indicates that both treatment interventions revealed improvements in pain and function, however, manipulation clinically performed better than TENS therapy for pain and function. As for muscle strength, data analysis showed significant improvements among both groups from the from the initial to the final consultation. Although group A and group B both produced similar results for the treatment of muscle inhibition, TENS therapy has shown to be minutely superior for the improvement of muscle strength gains as compared to manipulation. Conclusion: To conclude, both treatment protocols were effective in reducing pain and improving functional capabilities in patients with knee osteoarthritis, however, manipulation clinically yielded better results as compared to TENS therapy. TENS therapy has shown to be clinically superior by a small margin in the treatment of muscle inhibition.
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)