Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2025, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (12): 1285-1289.doi: 10.11958/20252344

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Observation on the therapeutic effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with mobilization with movement in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis

CUI Lin(), LI Haiqing, CHEN Yutong, ZHU Jiaxuan, WANG Luyi()   

  1. Rehabilitation Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100144, China
  • Received:2025-06-23 Revised:2025-08-14 Published:2025-12-15 Online:2025-12-08
  • Contact: E-mail:wangly992012@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) combined with mobilization with movement (MWM) on clinical efficacy, musculoskeletal ultrasound findings and bone metabolism indicators in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Ninety KOA patients were collected and randomly divided into the control group (conventional rehabilitation + TENS, n=45) and the observation group (conventional rehabilitation + TENS + MWM, n=45) using a random number table. Clinical efficacy, knee joint function, musculoskeletal ultrasound indices and bone metabolism indices were compared between the two groups. Results The clinical efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). At 2 and 6 months post-treatment, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were significantly lower in the observation group than those of the control group, and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale scores were higher in the observation group than those of the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, articular cartilage thickness, bone gla protein (BGP) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were higher in the observation group than those of the control group, and synovial thickness, suprapatellar effusion and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) were lower in the observation group than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion TENS combined with MWM in the treatment of KOA patients can not only improve knee joint function but also optimize musculoskeletal ultrasound indices and regulate bone metabolism indices.

Key words: osteoarthritis, knee, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation therapy, mobilization with movement, musculoskeletal ultrasound, bone metabolism

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