Feasibility of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for knee osteoarthritis in older women: A double-blind randomized...

This study examined the feasibility of using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-specifically AUSSIE and functional electrical stimulation (FES) currents-for older women with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Primary outcomes included feasibility indicators such as recruitment rate, adherence, satisfaction, and safety, while secondary outcomes assessed pain and physical function. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: AUSSIE current, pulsed FES current, or a control group without intervention. The intervention lasted four weeks, with three 20-min sessions per week. Feasibility was evaluated using recruitment and attendance records and post-intervention questionnaires. Pain was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), and function was assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 6-m walk tests. The recruitment rate was 13.9 % (25 of 180 screened). Adherence was high, with all intervention participants completing at least 80 % of sessions. Satisfaction was also high, as 100 % of participants rated the program as "excellent" or "very good," and no adverse events were reported. Although not powered for efficacy, exploratory analyses suggested that both NMES groups experienced pain reduction and improved physical function, with the FES group showing the greatest TUG improvement. These findings indicate that both AUSSIE and FES currents are feasible, safe, and well-accepted interventions for older women with knee OA. The results support the design of a larger randomized controlled trial to confirm the clinical efficacy of NMES in this population.