Electrical Dry Needling Versus Iontophoresis in Treating Chronic Unilateral Knee Osteoarthritis

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Osteoarthritis of Knee
• Interventions: Other: conventional physical therapy; Other: Electrical Dry Needling; Other: Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis

• Registration Number: NCT06578663
• Lead Sponsor: Horus University

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of electrical dry needling versus glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis on pain intensity level, functional ability, and knee range of motion in chronic unilateral knee osteoarthritis patients.

Detailed Description

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease affecting 240 million people worldwide, with a higher prevalence in older adults. The disease leads to knee deformity, laxity, and ligament instability. Dry needling, a new treatment modality, uses needle electrodes to deliver an electric current to the pain-generating trigger point, improving the physiological effects and analgesic and anesthetic effects. Iontophoresis, a safer method of drug therapy, has shown to be more effective in pain reduction in knee osteoarthritic patients. The study aims to investigate the effect of electrical dry needling versus glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis on pain intensity level, knee function, and range of motion (ROM) in chronic knee OA patients. This approach aims to maximize drug bioavailability, optimize therapeutic efficacy, and minimize side effects.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-05-16
• Study Start: 2024-06-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-08-27
• Study First Posted: 2024-08-29
• Primary Completion: 2024-12-01
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-13
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-15
• Study Completion: 2025-06-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

1. The patient will be selected from the outpatient clinic of physical therapy at Horus University, New Damietta, Egypt, diagnosed with a Kellgren/Lawrence grade 2,3 radiological severity of knee osteoarthritis (OA). and referred by an orthopedist.
2. Age will range from 40 to 60 years.
3. Body mass index will range from 25 to 29.9 kg/m2.
4. Duration of knee pain not less than 3 months prior to study .

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with history of cardiac disorder with pacemaker.
2. Knee surgery.
3. Diabetes and nutritional disorder.
4. Neuromuscular and other musculoskeletal diseases.
5. Any red flags to dry needling, or conventional therapy.
6. Had received physical therapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic, or intra-articular injections for the painful knee in the last 3 months.
7. Presented with positive neurological signs.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
conventional program	conventional physical therapy	will receive conventional physical therapy, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and an exercise therapy program (stretching exercises, both hip and knee strengthening, balance, and stability exercise)
dry needling and conventional program	conventional physical therapy	will receive conventional physical therapy, plus electrical dry needling.
dry needling and conventional program	Electrical Dry Needling	will receive conventional physical therapy, plus electrical dry needling.
Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis and conventional program	conventional physical therapy	will receive conventional physical therapy, plus Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis.
Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis and conventional program	Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis	will receive conventional physical therapy, plus Glucosamine sulfate iontophoresis.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain intensity level measurement	at baseline and after 6 weeks	The visual analog scale (VAS) is a pain rating scale .A 10-cm line that represents a continuum between the two ends of the scale-"no pain" on the left end (0 cm) of the scale and the "worst pain" on the right end of the scale (10 cm)
Functional ability measurement	at baseline and after 6 weeks	Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome (KOOS) Score.A 0-100 scale, with zero express extreme knee problems and 100 for no knee problems, as common in orthopedic scales.
Knee ROM measurement	at baseline and after 6 weeks	A digital goniometer will be used to measure active knee ROM. The subject will be supine, flexing and extending their knee to the maximum. Bony landmarks will be identified for standardization and repeatability. The goniometer will be positioned over the lateral epicondyle of the femur, with the greater trochanter for reference. Measurements will be made three times, and the average value will be analyzed. Knee ROM measurements in patients with knee OA show high reliability.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Horus university; 🇪🇬 Damieta, Egypt