Short-wave Diathermy in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Hand

Hand Osteoarthritis Clinical Trial

Official title: The Effect of Short-wave Diathermy in Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Hand: A Randomized, Double Blinded, Placebo Controlled Trial

Status Recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

Due to constant strain the joints of the hands are frequently affected by osteoarthritis (OA).

Short-wave diathermy (SWD) is a form of electromagnetic therapy, which causes movement of ions, distortion of molecules, and creation of eddy currents and as a result heat is produced in deep tissue. Its claimed mechanism of action includes inducing an anti-inflammatory response, reducing joint stiffness, stimulating connective tissue repair, and reducing muscle spasm and pain.

Since the available studies were performed to study the large weight-bearing joints only, there is a lack in scientific evidence for the efficacy of SWD in hand OA.

The aim of this randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study is to evaluate the effect of SWD on:

joint function in patients with hand OA. joint pain in patients with hand OA. grip strength in patients with hand OA. quality of live in patients with hand OA.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Hand Osteoarthritis
• Osteoarthritis

• NCT number: NCT01838954
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Medical University of Vienna
• Contact: Klaus Bobacz, MD
• Phone: +43 1 40400
• Email: klaus.bobacz@meduniwien.ac.at
• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: March 2012
• Completion date: September 2016