Additional effect of diadynamic currents in a strengthening program muscle in patients with knee arthrosis. Blind randomized clinical trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a pathology commonly known within orthopedic and rheumatological physiotherapy, it consists of loss of articular cartilage in synovial joints classified in relation to clinical and radiological characteristics. The weakening of the knee muscles is directly associated with the development of the disease and ends up becoming progressive from the moment that people decrease their physical activity due to limitations. Pain is another striking feature of these patients affected by such pathology, and may even be linked to the severity of symptoms. The objective of this work is to analyze the effectiveness of using diadynamic currents as an adjunct to a muscle strengthening program in patients with knee OA. A randomized blind clinical trial will be carried out, patients will be divided into three groups - exercises, exercises + electrical stimulation and home exercises, with the focus of the exercises for strengthening the muscles of the lower limbs. The protocols will be applied twice a week for 6 weeks. The evaluations will take place on the days before (0), 14, 28, 42 and 72 (30-day follow-up) after the end of the treatment, using the following instruments: questionnaires - Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne algofunctional index, numerical pain scale, algometry, manual dynamometer, in addition to the functional tests - Time Up Go, 6-minute walk The data will be submitted to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Bonferroni ANOVA test will be used for parametric data and for non-parametric data, the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc, considering p <0.05. It is hoped with the results obtained to provide new treatment strategies for patients affected with knee OA.