Time Dependent Effect of the Combination of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Background: Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent musculoskeletal condition. A huge variety of treatment interventions are available but have shown success to limited extent. Treatment intervention managing the symptoms both at the periphery and at the central pain processing can be a better approach to the treat this condition. Objective: The present study aimed to see the time effect of the combination of Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in knee OA patients. Study design: Pre- post experimental study design. Methodology: Seventeen patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis as per American College of Rheumatology criteria were recruited in the study. The combination of tDCS and TENS was applied for 5 consecutive days over the most painful knee. The outcome measures were pain (VAS), function (six minute walk test), disability and quality of life (Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score) measured at the baseline, one week, two weeks and six weeks after the interventions. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 21.0) software. Result: The result of the study showed significant improvement in pain, function and quality of life at the short term (week 1) as well as in long term (6 weeks) after the interventions. Conclusion: The combination of tDCS and TENS is a potential intervention in reducing pain and improving function both at short and long term in knee OA patients.