The Effect of Cryotherapy in Pain Control, Function and Quality of Life in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis
Condition: Osteoarthritis, Knee
MeSH terms: Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of cryotherapy in pain control, function
      and quality of life in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
    

Detailed description: 
      The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of cryotherapy in pain control, function
      and quality of life in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. This is a randomized controlled
      clinical trial, double-blinded. Will participate in the study 60 patients with knee
      osteoarthritis, diagnosed with clinical and radiographic criteria of the American College of
      Rheumatology, of both sexes, aged between 40 and 75 years. The total number of subjects will
      be divided randomly into two groups of 30 subjects each. During four consecutive days, for a
      period of 20 min, each group will receive one type of intervention around the knee with
      osteoarthritis: the cryotherapy group will receive an application of ice bags with
      compression and the placebo group will receive an application of sand bags with compression,
      the weight and volume of the sand bags will be similar to that used in cryotherapy. Every
      individual will have the following variables evaluated one day pre- and one day
      post-intervention: pressure pain threshold (Algometry), pain index (VAS), physical function
      questionnaires (WOMAC, KOOS) and physical activity (IPAQ). Two physical function tests will
      also be carried out: the 30s sitting and standing chair and the Timed Up and Go (TUG).
      Thermographic images will also be obtained for further temperature analysis of the knee with
      osteoarthritis. Moreover, after a period of 3 months, participants will perform a follow-up
      in which will be measured the VAS, WOMAC and KOOS questionnaires. Also, some Yes/No questions
      about the continued use of the therapy will be asked,
    

Intervention name(s): Cryotherapy; Placebo - Sand
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Crushed ice (1kg) inside a plastic bag (24x34x0,08 cm). The positioning of the plastic bags will cover the entire knee surface (Anterior, lateral and posterior region). After the positioning of the ice bags, they will be fixed with an elastic bandage (compression). To protect the skin against frost bites, all the knee surface will be covered with a moistened operative field (45x50x0,01 cm, 100% cotton); Sand (1kg) inside a plastic bag (24x34x0,08 cm). The positioning of the plastic bags will cover the entire knee surface (Anterior, lateral and posterior region). After the positioning of the sand bags, they will be fixed with an elastic bandage (compression). Also, all the knee surface will be covered with a moistened operative field (45x50x0,01 cm, 100% cotton) to mimic the experimental group.
Other intervention name(s): Ice therapy; Placebo, sham
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, Knee; Cryotherapy; Thermotherapy; Hypothermia; Knee; Physiotherapy