SWT VERSUS EMFT IN KOA

SHOCK WAVE THERAPY VERSUS ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy and pulsed electromagnetic field in reducing pain, improving function, and increasing ROM in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Physical Therapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Shock Wave Therapy; Procedure: Conservative therapy; Procedure: Electromagnetic Field Therapy

Detailed Description

Knee osteoarthritis is a prevalent and debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is particularly common in older adults and is a major cause of disability and reduced quality of life. The disease is characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and impaired function. The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis has been reported to range between 22% to 39% globally, and in specific regions like India, it is approximately 28.7%.

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy has emerged as a promising non-invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. The advantages of extracorporeal shock wave therapy include its ability to alleviate pain and improve joint function. Studies have demonstrated that extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly reduce pain scores and enhance physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, making it a viable treatment option. Additionally, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has been shown to positively affect cartilage regeneration and reduce inflammation markers like matrix metalloproteinase-3, which is involved in cartilage degradation.

However, the disadvantages of extracorporeal shock wave therapy include the potential for adverse effects on articular cartilage, particularly at higher intensities, which may result in the worsening of cartilage conditions in some cases. Furthermore, while extracorporeal shock wave therapy is generally well-tolerated, its efficacy may vary depending on the energy levels used, with moderate intensity showing the best outcomes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Ismailia, Egypt
    • The Outpatient Clinics, Faculty of Physical Therapy Suez Canal University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Sixty patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis, specifically those with mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
2. Participants must have experienced knee pain lasting more than 3 months.
3. Their ages will be ranged from 40 to 60 years.
4. Their body mass index within the range of 22.7 to 28.5 kg/m² kg/m².
5. Both male and female patients are eligible for the study.
6. At least two positive provocative tests, such as joint line tenderness and crepitus, which are commonly associated with knee osteoarthritis.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or other forms of arthritis that are not osteoarthritis.
2. Undergone knee replacement surgery or any significant knee surgery within the past year.
3. Severe cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, or hepatic diseases that could interfere with study participation or outcomes.
4. Received intra-articular corticosteroid injections in the affected knee within the last 3 months.
5. Pregnant or breastfeeding due to the unknown effects of study treatments on fetal and infant development.
6. Neurological conditions affecting the lower limbs (e.g., stroke, neuropathy). body mass index greater than 30 kg/m², as severe obesity may influence treatment outcomes and complicate assessment.
7. Cognitive impairments or psychiatric conditions that may affect their ability to participate.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A; Experimental group 1.	Procedure: Shock Wave Therapy; Electrotherapy application; Procedure: Conservative therapy; Hot pack, stretching exercises and strengthening exercises
Experimental: Group B; Experimental group 2.	Procedure: Conservative therapy; Hot pack, stretching exercises and strengthening exercises; Procedure: Electromagnetic Field Therapy; Electrotherapy application
Experimental: Group C; Experimental group 3.	Procedure: Conservative therapy; Hot pack, stretching exercises and strengthening exercises

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in physical function.	Measurement of physical function using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.	Pretreatment measurement and posttreatment (4 weeks) measurement.
Change in pain intensity	Measurement of pain intensity using the visual analogue scale.	Pretreatment measurement and posttreatment (4 weeks) measurement.
Change in range of motion.	Measurement of range of motion using the digital goniometer.	Pretreatment measurement and posttreatment (4 weeks) measurement.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Suez Canal University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 17, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 26, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): April 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 26, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis; Shock Wave Therapy; Electromagnetic Field Therapy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation; Ultrasonic Therapy; Diathermy; Hyperthermia, Induced; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Conservative Treatment; Magnetic Field Therapy
• Other Study ID Numbers: SUEZPT2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No