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World J Meta-Anal. Aug 26, 2014; 2(3): 78-90
Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v2.i3.78
Published online Aug 26, 2014. doi: 10.13105/wjma.v2.i3.78
Efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound vs sham ultrasound on pain and physical function in people with knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Norma J MacIntyre, Ahmed Negm, Adalberto Loyola-Sánchez, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada
Mohit Bhandari, Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8L 8E7, Canada
Author contributions: All authors contributed to the design of the research study and interpretation of the data; MacIntyre NJ, Negm A and Loyola-Sánchez A contributed to the acquisition of data as described in the methods; MacIntyre NJ performed the search and data analyses and wrote the paper; Negm A, Loyola-Sánchez A and Bhandari M reviewed the paper critically for important intellectual content and approved the version to be published.
Supported by The Canadian Institutes of Health Research Randomized Controlled Trials Mentorship Program (NJM, MB), No. MTP 108229
Correspondence to: Norma J MacIntyre, PT, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, IAHS 403-1400 Main St W., Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada. macint@mcmaster.ca
Telephone: +1-905-5259140-21166 Fax: +1-905-5240069
Received: November 27, 2013
Revised: May 5, 2014
Accepted: May 28, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Revised: May 5, 2014
Accepted: May 28, 2014
Published online: August 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Lack of participant blinding in effectiveness trials introduces bias known to exaggerate treatment effect estimates particularly for outcomes such as pain and self-reported physical function. We meta-analyzed data from double- and triple-blind trials only and high level evidence shows that therapeutic ultrasound decreases knee OA pain but does not increase physical function immediately following treatment. Due to the methodological quality of the included trials, we conclude that a large well-designed trial is required before this clinical question can be answered definitively.