Effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with exercise therapy on lower limb microcirculation, muscle strength, and motor function in patients with knee osteoarthritis
10.3760/cma.j.cn341190-20240703-00857
- VernacularTitle:TENS联合运动疗法对KOA患者下肢微循环、下肢肌力及运动功能的影响
- Author:
Jiahong SHEN
1
;
Yuwei FU
1
;
Dongliang CHEN
1
Author Information
1. 浙江省荣军医院康复科，嘉兴 314000
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Osteoarthritis, knee;
Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation;
Exercise therapy;
Blood circulation;
Muscle strength;
Motor skills
- From:
Chinese Journal of Primary Medicine and Pharmacy
2025;32(9):1344-1348
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the effects of percutaneous nerve electrical stimulation (TENS) combined with exercise therapy on lower limb microcirculation, lower limb muscle strength, and motor function in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods:Sixty patients with KOA who received treatment at Zhejiang Rongjun Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023 were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 30) and an observation group ( n = 30) using the random number table method. The control group received exercise therapy, while the observation group received TENS and exercise therapy. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. The efficacy was compared between the two groups. Additionally, pain levels, lower limb microcirculation, lower limb muscle strength, and motor function were compared between the two groups both before and after treatment. Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [93.33% (28/30) vs. 73.33% (22/30), χ2 = 4.32, P < 0.05]. After treatment, Visual Analog Scale score and microcirculatory blood perfusion volume in the observation group were (2.03 ± 0.41) and (7.98 ± 1.24) mL/min, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(3.78 ± 0.59), (9.23 ± 1.36) mL/min, t = 13.34, 3.72, both P < 0.05]. The proportion of patients achieving Lovett grades of 4-5 in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [83.33% (25/30) vs. 60.00% (18/30), Z = 1.99, P < 0.05]. After treatment, the Hospital for Special Surgery knee score in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [(78.98 ± 5.65) vs. (67.87 ± 6.26), t = 7.21, P < 0.05]. Conclusions:TENS combined with exercise therapy has a good efficacy in the treatment of KOA. The combined therapy can improve lower limb microcirculation, lower limb muscle strength, and motor function.
