[The comparative efficacy of methods for the cryo-electropulse therapy of osteoarthrosis patients]

Comparative trials of two methods of cryoelectroimpulse therapy in combination with kinesitherapy and massage performed in 132 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) demonstrated that both methods relieve pain syndrome, improve peripheral circulation, condition of the neuromuscular system. Overall course effectiveness of parallel use of cryotherapy and transcutaneous electroneurostimulation (cryo-TCENS) combined with exercise and massage was found less than that of cryotherapy and sinusoidal modulated currents (cryoamplipulsetherapy). However, the effect of a single cryo-TCENS procedure was rather high. This may be explained by a labile technique which allows impact on the most painful (trigger) zones in OA patients. Thus, cryo-TCENS should be applied in short courses (maximum 6 procedures) or in single impacts in severe OA pain while cryoamplipulstherapy is more effective in courses consisting of 10-12 procedures.