Eficácia da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) na redução da dor e melhora da função em indivíduos com osteoartrite de joelho: uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

Objective:To verify through the literature review the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in reducing pain and improving function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Controlled randomized controlled trials published between 2006 and 2016 were included in the study. The studies were performed in humans with a medical diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral knee OA and used TENS as a therapeutic intervention. Results: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 185 studies were found in the MEDLINE database, of which only 6 were included; In the PEDro database 356 articles were found, of which 2 were selected. In relation to Embase, 528 articles were found and only 2 included. Three studies reported reduction of pain in the intervention group (TENS) in comparison to the control, and in one of them the TENS result was superior to the group that performed isocinetic quadriceps exercise,but similar in the groups that received short wave diathermy and hot bags. The effects obtained with TENS were lower than those reported with the use of interferential current. Four studies reported improved function in the groups that used TENS as an intervention and were superior to the use of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and ultrasound. Conclusion: There was no consensus in the literature about the efficacy of TENS in reducing pain and improving function when compared to other interventions, but when TENS was used with high intensity it became more effective than low intensity TENS.