Table 53Osteoarthritis knee pain: effects of nonpharmacological interventions compared with usual care, placebo, sham, attention control, or waitlist

Intervention

Function

Short-Term

Effect Size

Function

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Function

Long-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Short-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Long-Term

Effect Size

Exercise

small

++

moderate

+

small

+

small

++

moderate

+

small

+

Psychological Therapies: Pain Coping,

none

+

none

+

none

+

small

+

none

+

none

+

Physical Modalities: Microwave Diathermyinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidence
Physical Modalities: Pulsed Short-Wave Diathermyinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidence
Physical Modalities: Ultrasound

none

+

none

+

no evidence

none

+

none

+

no evidence
Physical Modalities: no evidence

none

+

no evidenceno evidence

none

+

no evidence
Physical Modalities: Low-Level Laser Therapyinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidence
Physical Modalities: Electromagnetic Field

none

+

no evidenceno evidence

none

+

no evidenceno evidence
Physical Modalities: Superficial Heatno evidenceno evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidence
Physical Modalities: Bracesno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidence
Manual Therapies: Joint Manipulationno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidenceno evidenceno evidence
Manual Therapies: Massageno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidence
Mind-Body Practices: Tai Chiinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidenceinsufficient evidenceinsufficient evidenceno evidence
Acupuncture

none

+

none

++

no evidence

none

+

none

++

no evidence

Short-Term: 1 to <6 months; Intermediate-Term: ≥6 to <12 months; Long-Term: ≥12 months

Effect Size: none, small, moderate, or large improvement

Strength of Evidence: + = low, ++ = moderate, +++ = high

= cognitive-behavioral therapy; none = no effect/no statistically significant effect; = transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation; = strength of evidence

a

and effect size based on totality of evidence from prior report and new trials.

b

Effect size upgraded one level from prior report.

c

Effect size downgraded one level from prior report.

From: Discussion

Cover of Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update
Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 227.
Skelly AC, Chou R, Dettori JR, et al.

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