Clinical Outcomes of Local Quadriceps Vibration in Military Personnel with Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Trial Study

Background and Aim: Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease that disables affected people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of local quadriceps vibration in military personnel with moderate knee osteoarthritis. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 76 military personnel with moderate knee osteoarthritis were studied through simple random sampling in two intervention groups (routine physiotherapy group with local quadriceps vibration) and control group (routine physiotherapy). The tools used were: demographic and clinical information questionnaire, standard WOMAC and SF36 questionnaires, and goniometer. The variables studied were: pain severity, severity of knee disability, knee flexion range of motion, and patient quality of life score. These variables were measured before and after the intervention in both groups. The results were analyzed by K-S Test, Paired T-Test, and T-Test. Results: Baseline demographic results such as gender (P = 0.112), age (P = 0.290), and BMI (P = 0.870) showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (the two groups were similar). The mean of pain severity (P = 0.001), knee disability severity (P = 0.003), knee flexion range of motion (P = 0.011), and quality of life (P = 0.017) scores before and after intervention in both groups showed a significant difference (recovery process). The change percentage in variables was higher and significant in the intervention group than the control group (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Routine physiotherapy plus local quadriceps vibration (compared to routine physiotherapy) can reduce pain severity, reduce knee disability, improve knee flexion range, and improve quality of life in people with moderate knee osteoarthritis.