Interferential Current Therapy versus Kinesio Taping in Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a frequent degenerative joint disease, causing pain and functional disability . Kinesio taping (KT) and interferential current (IFC) are effective in managing symptoms; however, comparative evidence of their combined effect with exercise remains limited. Purpose: to evaluate the adding effects of KT versus IFC to exercise on knee pain, range of motion (ROM), quadriceps muscle strength, and functional mobility in patients with KOA. Methods: Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with mild to moderate KOA; their ages ranged from 40 to 65 years. They were randomly allocated into three equal groups: Group A received IFC therapy combined with an exercise and sham KT, Group B received KT combined with the same exercise and sham IFC, and control group C received the exercise with sham IFC and KT. Treatment lasted for four weeks in all groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the universal goniometer, the hand-held dynamometer (HHD), and the timed up and go (TUG) test were used to measure knee pain, function, ROM, quadriceps muscle strength, and functional mobility. Results: After four weeks of treatment, all outcome measures demonstrated statistically significant differences (p value < 0.05) in all groups except extension ROM. Quadriceps muscle strength had no significant differences between groups. Conclusion: the addition of IFC or KT to exercises can improve pain, function, quadriceps muscle strength, and ROM; but, adding IFC has more improvement in quadriceps strength in patients with KOA.