Trigger Point Electrical Dry Needling with Different Waveforms Plus Intra-Articular Corticosteroid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal disorder associated with pain, functional limitation, and substantial healthcare burden.
Purpose: To compare the efficacy of trigger point electrical dry needling (electrical-DN) with different waveforms, combined with intra-articular corticosteroid injection (CSI), in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
Methods: A total of 138 participants were randomized to the sham stimulation group (Group S), dense-disperse wave group (Group D), or continuous wave group (Group C). All groups received a single CSI. Group S had no electrical stimulation, while Group D and Group C were treated with dense-disperse wave and continuous wave, respectively. Electrical stimulation was administered for 20 minutes per session, once weekly for two weeks. Assessments were obtained at the following time points: baseline, post-treatment weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Knee Flexion Range of Motion (FROM), rescue medication use, and adverse events. Repeated measures were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE), and other comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests.
Results: Group D showed lower NRS scores than Group C at weeks 8 and 12…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 138 participants or records.
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