미세전류발생기 착용이 슬관절 골관절염 환자의 통증 및 보행기능에 미치는 효과

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate the clinical efficacy of microcurrent in patients with knee osteoarthritis. For archeving this purpose, we recuited elderly women with knee osteoarthritis, grade 1 to 3. All subjects were divided into 2 groups, experimental group(N=19) put on portable typed knee brace emit microcurrent and heat whereas control group(N=12) put on same typed knee brace emit only heat for 3 weeks, over 4 hours a day. Evaluation included Pain during stairs and Pain during walking using VAS for pain rating scale and Walking speed test, Step speed test and Timed up and go test for walking ability. There were significant improvement on pain rating scale in both group and on walking ability in only experimental group between initial and follow-up. These results suggest that microcurrent therapy should be recommended as an effective method to reduce pain and discomfort and develop walking ability in knee osteoarthritis patient.