Use of Interferential Current (IFC) Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Interferential Current Therapy (IFC) is a form of electrical therapy that utilizes two simultaneous low frequency electrical stimulation which when they cross interfere with one another resulting in an interference or beat frequency. This beat frequency provides a therapeutic area of relief by blocking painful stimuli at the area of interest. IFC is different from the other electrical treatment modalities used because the cancellation effect allows for establishment of the treatment area to be in the deeper tissues of the body, whereas other electrical modalities can only be used to treat superficial body parts that lie just under the skin. The main objective of this proposed study is to assess the post-operative short term outcomes of the patients who receive IFC treatment during their post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery hospital stay. The implications of the study would be improved patient outcome which could result in shorter hospital stay, reduced use of opioid medication, decreased need for manipulation under anesthesia and reduced re-admission rate.

Official Title
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The Effect of Short Term Patient Outcomes With the Use of Interferential Current Therapy After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Conditions
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Osteo Arthritis Knee

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Interferential Current Therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria:Adult patients with knee osteoarthritis who have failed conservative therapy and undergoing elected TKA. - Exclusion Criteria: i. <18 years old ii. Any patient with pacemaker or any electrical stimulator device iii. Patients without capacity to consent for the study iv. Patients not able to have local nerve block or spinal anesthesia v. Patients with prior chronic opioid use vi. Patients who are categorized to have 'Severe' fear and anxiety responses to pain, according to the Pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) survey.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: IFC Treatment<br>The IFC treatment will be used for 30 minutes, twice a day for two days after the total knee arthroplasty | Device: Interferential Current Therapy<br>* IFC treatment after Total Knee Arthroplasty<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>One set of device is programmed to be used as Placebo, the subject will feel the vibration but will not receive a therapeutic signal. | Device: Interferential Current Therapy<br>* IFC treatment after Total Knee Arthroplasty<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Post-operative Opioid Pain Medication Usage | Post-operative opioid pain medication usage was assessed by tabulating opioid use during the hospital stay after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) as determined by median morphine milligram equivalents (MME). | 24 hours after surgery | 
| Post-operative Opioid Pain Medication Usage | Post-operative opioid pain medication usage was assessed by tabulating opioid use during the hospital stay after Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) as determined by median MME (morphine milligram equivalents). | 48 hours after surgery | 
| Visual Pain Score (VAS) | VAS asks a patient to mark a place on a scale that aligns with their level of pain smiley face 0=No pain - sad face 10=worst pain | 24 Hours after surgery | 
| Visual Pain Score | VAS asks a patient to mark a place on a scale that aligns with their level of pain smiley face 0=No pain - sad face 10=worst pain | 48 Hours after surgery |