Short-Term Efficacy of Physical Interventions in Osteoarthritic Knee Pain. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Placebo-Controlled Trials

Review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials where patients received active treatment with physical agents to treat osteoartritis of the knee (OAK). The physical agents included: manual acupuncture, static magnets, ultrasound, pulsed electromagnetic fields, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electro-acupuncture (EA), and low level laser therapy (LLLT). This study concludes that TENS, EA, and LLLT administered with optimal doses in an intensive 2-4 week treatment regimen seem to offer clinically relevant short-term pain relief for osteoarthritis of the knee.