Clinical evaluation of a noninvasive technology for the treatment of chronic joint symptoms

• Published in: Orthopedic research and reviews 2013-01, Vol.5 (default), p.5-11
• Main Authors: Chelucci, Kenneth M, Shapiro, Ronald S, White, Donald B, Bachmann, Kenneth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Arthralgia; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Development and progression; Knee; Osteoarthritis; Pain; Patient outcomes; Risk factors
• ISSN: 1179-1462; 1179-1462
• DOI: 10.2147/ORR.S40051

A device that emits thermal kinetic energy and photonic energy has been developed for the treatment of chronic knee pain. We conducted a clinical trial pilot study in which 69 patients with chronic knee pain were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups with approximately 17 patients per group. One group was treated with the operational device; a second group was treated with the device emitting only thermal kinetic energy; a third group was treated with the device configured to emit only photonic energy; and the fourth group was treated with a complete sham device. Several parameters, eg, number of steps climbed, knee circumferences, pain rank during flexion, and flexion angle achieved prior to pain perception, were assessed immediately prior to treatment and immediately after the application of a 25-minute treatment under fully blinded conditions. Analysis of variance with the Tukey multiple comparisons procedure was used for comparing treatment results. The fully or partially activated device was superior to the sham device in patients with chronic knee pain. The results suggest that this device may have benefit for patients with chronic knee pain, and that larger, more robust studies of the device are warranted. Keywords: joint pain, knee pain, noninvasive joint pain therapy, osteoarthritis, digital medicine therapy