Whole-Body Electromyostimulation and Knee Osteoarthritis

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of WB-EMS application in overweight women and men with knee osteoarthritis, with special consideration of sustainability. In this randomised controlled trial 72 overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis aged 40-70 years will be included and randomly assigned to two groups (WB-EMS vs. control group (CG)). The intervention group will perform six WB-EMS sessions/month of 20 min for 6 months. An intermittent low frequency WB-EMS-protocol with an impulse phase of 6s, followed by an impulse break of 4s will be applied. The control group will undergo a tailored physiotherapy program of 6 sessions defined as usual care. In addition, both groups will complete a self-management training programme for osteoarthritis of 6 sessions over 12 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2)radiographically confirmed early to moderate femorotibial osteoarthritis (Kellgren- Lawrence grades 2 and 3)osteoarthritic knee pain for at least 3 monthsaverage pain intensity > 2.5 (NRS 0-10)Exclusion Criteria:WB-EMS in the last year or resistance exercise >1 session/week in the last yearpresent glucocorticoid or opioid medicationtrauma of the knee joint within the last 3 monthsintra-articular injections in the knee joint within the last 3 monthsmalignant diseasesserious cardiovascular diseasesconditions or diseases that are contraindications for WB-EMSabsence ≥3 weeks during the intervention period