Table 2 Number [%] of treatment modalities used in the management of patients with knee osteoarthritis according to quality of evidence from systematic reviews (SR)
From: Measuring physiotherapy performance in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A prospective study
Type of intervention | Not used at all | Used in up to 80% of the sessions | Used in more than 80% of the sessions | Quality of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise | 6 [2] | 35 [12] | 256 [86] | High for pain reduction and improved physical function Moderate for no improvement in psychological outcomes |
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) | 260 [88] | 16 [5] | 21 [7] | Moderate for pain reduction |
Low level laser therapy | 265 [89] | 22 [7] | 10 [4] | Moderate for pain reduction |
Acupuncture (manual, electrical and trigger point) | 237 [80] | 40 [14] | 20 [7] | Moderate for pain reduction |
Short wave therapy (and pulsed electromagnetic energy) | 268 [90] | 16 [5] | 13 [4] | Moderate for no reduction in pain or improvement in physical function |
Patient education, self-management and psychoeducation | 53 [18] | 214 [72] | 29 [10] | Moderate for improving psychological outcomes Moderate for no difference in pain or physical function |
Ultrasound | 249 [84] | 21 [7] | 27 [9] | Low for all outcomes |
Thermotherapy (heat packs) | 251 [85] | 20 [7] | 26 [8] | Low for all outcomes |
Thermotherapy (cold packs) | 278 [94] | 12 [4] | 7 [2] | Low for all outcomes |
Braces and orthosis | 273 [92] | 21 [7] | 3 [1] | Low for all outcomes |
Tape | 286 [96] | 10 [3] | 1 [0] | No evidence from SR |
Massage | 137 [46] | 69 [24] | 91 [30] | No evidence from SR |
Traction | 158 [53] | 60 [20] | 78 [26] | No evidence from SR |
Stretching | 158 [53] | 57 [19] | 81 [27] | No evidence from SR |
Advice about physical activity | 32 [11] | 220 [74] | 45 [15] | No evidence from SR |
Advice about weight reduction among 102 patients considered overweight | 43 [42] | 55 [54] | 4 [4] | No evidence from SR |