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Preferences for heat, cold, or contrast in patients with knee osteoarthritis affect treatment response

Authors Denegar C, Dougherty DR, Friedman JE, Schimizz ME, Clark JE, Comstock BA, Kraemer WJ

Published 19 July 2010 Volume 2010:5 Pages 199—206

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S11431

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Craig R Denegar, Devon R Dougherty, Jacob E Friedman, Maureen E Schimizzi, James E Clark, Brett A Comstock, William J Kraemer

Human Performance Laboratory and Physical Therapy Program, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

Objective: This investigation assessed preferences for, and effects of, 5 days of twice daily superficial heat, cold, or contrast therapy applied with a commercially available system ­permitting the circulation of water through a wrap-around garment, use of an electric heating pad, or rest for patients with level II–IV osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods: We employed a within subject, randomized order design to study 34 patients ­receiving each treatment in 1-week blocks. A knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) questionnaire and visual analog pain scale was completed at baseline, and twice each week. Treatment preferences were assessed in the last week of the study.

Results: Treatment with the device set to warm was preferred by 48% of subjects. Near equal preferences were observed for cold (24%) and contrast (24%). Pain reduction and improvements in KOOS subscale measures were demonstrated for each treatment but responses were (P < 0.05) greater with preferred treatments. Most patients preferred treatment with the water circulating garment system over a heating pad.

Conclusions: We recommend that when superficial heat or cold is considered in the management of knee OA that patients experiment to identify the intervention that offers them the greatest relief and that contrast is a treatment option.

Keywords: pain scales, KOOS, therapeutic agents, knee, patient preferences

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