Efficacy of microcurrent therapy for treatment of acute knee pain: A randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial.

The study used a convenience sample of 52 adults from one university site, so it may not apply to broader knee pain populations. The primary absolute worst pain scores did not differ significantly between groups at any week, so the positive result was only about reduction from baseline. The active and placebo groups were not identical at baseline in overall and mental Short Form 12 scores, with the active group scoring higher. The older participants with higher BMI finding came from a subgroup analysis and may be chance. Follow-up stopped at 4 weeks, while natural healing of acute knee pain may continue for longer. Ultrasound effusion results had very small and uneven groups, with 7 active and 17 placebo participants, so they cannot be treated as firm. The device was an Omron Healthcare Co. model PM601 prototype, and Omron Health assisted funding and design, which may affect how the result is weighted. The study excluded several common conditions and medication users, so results may not apply to patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ligament injury, or those taking pain or anti-inflammatory medication.

Omron Health assisted with funding for the project, and an Omron employee helped with study design but did not influence data analysis, interpretation, or writing, especially the discussion. Elon University was responsible for the integrity and conduct of the study. The device was an Omron Healthcare Co. model PM601 prototype.

Do not conclude that microcurrent clearly beats placebo for acute knee pain. The active group did not have significantly lower absolute worst pain scores at any week, and the positive finding was greater reduction from baseline, with the older high BMI result based on a small subgroup analysis.