Deep Versus Superficial Heating in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Heat therapy is frequently prescribed to patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Deep hyperthermia via localized microwave diathermy is effective in several musculoskeletal painful conditions. However, the efficacy of superficial heating is controversial. Furthermore, no clinical trials have yet directly compared the effects of these treatment modalities in knee OA. Hence, the purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of deep and superficial hyperthermia, induced via microwave diathermy and hot packs, respectively, on pain and function in patients with symptomatic knee OA.

Official Title
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Deep Versus Superficial Heating in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: a Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Conditions
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Knee Osteoarthritis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Microwave diathermy
* Other: Superficial hyperthermia


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Men and women aged 18 years or older Moderate, mono or bilateral knee osteoarthritis Pain lasting for at least three weeks Exclusion Criteria: Inability or unwillingness to sign informed consent Previous surgery on the affected knee Intra-articular injections with steroids or hyaluronic acid in prior 6 months Physical therapy for knee problems in prior 6 months Congenital or acquired inflammatory or neurological (systemic or local) diseases involving the knee Chronic NSAID or steroid treatment Cognitive or psychiatric disorders Pregnancy or breastfeeding Contraindications to hyperthermia (cancer in prior 2 years or active cancer treatment, local thrombosis, impaired arterial circulation, altered cutaneous thermal sensitivity, local infections or systemic acute infections, metal implants or prosthesis, severe osteoporosis

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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: Deep hyperthermia<br>Microwave diathermy | Other: Microwave diathermy<br>* Deep tissue heating via microwave diathermy<br>|
| Other: Superficial hyperthermia<br>Hot packs | Other: Superficial hyperthermia<br>* Superficial heating via hot pack application<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC scale) |  | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| British Medical Research Council (BMRC) rating scale |  | 6 months | 
| Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) |  | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Hyperthermia, Microwave diathermy, Hot packs, Pain, Physical function