Thermotherapy for knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of pain and disability among adults. Thermotherapy has been widely used to treat knee osteoarthritis. But its efficiency has not been scientifically and methodically evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the benefits of thermotherapy for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, in terms of pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction. Methods: Eight databases will be searched from their inception to September 2020. They are as follows: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Weipu Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Wanfang Database. Two researchers will independently select studies, collect data, and assess the methodology quality by the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Results: The systematic review will provide high-quality evidence to assess the benefits and harms of thermotherapy for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, in terms of pain, stiffness, and dysfunction of knee joint, and quality of life, as well as adverse events. Conclusion: The systematic review will provide evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of thermotherapy for knee osteoarthritis patients. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY202140038.

Effectiveness and safety of outpatient rehabilitation versus home-based rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Within an outpatient setting, the provision of professional equipment and techniques ensures that patients receive appropriate treatments. Indeed, numerous studies have indicated that specific equipment and techniques are indispensable in expediting the recovery process [ 33 ]. For instance, thermotherapy, as a traditional physical therapy method, has been proven to be exceptionally effective in alleviating pain, enhancing muscle flexibility, and promoting blood circulation [ 34 ].…”