Examining the relationship between pain intensity, functional disability and range of movement using TECAR therapy in athletes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract

Capacitive and resistive electric transfer (TECAR) has emerged as a pain-free and non-invasive treatment modality, gaining popularity over the last two decades for addressing various acute and chronic painful conditions. Athletes often encounter anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. While successful reconstruction is achieved in 90% - 95% of cases, comprehensive rehabilitation is crucial for maximizing recovery and restoring athletes to their pre-injury levels. Aim: The study aimed to investigate the direct relationship between pain intensity, knee joint range of movement and functional disability of the lower limb using TECAR therapy in athletes after ACL reconstruction. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conduced as a part of a randomized controlled trial involving 122 athletes (both male and female). Following a detailed analysis and comparison of the experimental group (EG, n = 61) and the control group (CG, n = 61), we focused on further examining the results of the EG patients and on determining whether there was any relationship between the measured variables and the functional recovery of the joint. EG subjects received TECAR therapy as a supplement to the rehabilitation program for ACL injury and subsequent surgery. The study monitored pain dynamics (Visual Analogue Scale - VAS), joint edema (in centimeters), range of movement (goniometry), flexor and extensor strength (Manual Muscle Testing - MMT) and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Assessment were conducted before and after the therapeutic course (comprising 20 procedures lasting 40 – 50 min each). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The Spearman’s rho coefficient results for VAS, MMT, range of movement and LEFS varied. The strength of correlation between variables was generally weak but statistically significant (p < 0.05, 95% CI; 2-tailed) except for VAS and knee range of movement (ROM) of flexion (p > 0.05, 95% CI). Conclusions: Intragroup analysis revealed statistically significant differences compared to pretreatment in terms of pain, knee-ROM, muscular strength and functional disability (Wilcoxon test p < 0.05, 95% CI). For athletes after ACL reconstruction, TECAR therapy, when used in conjunction with conventional physical therapy, demonstrated a weak correlation between knee-ROM, LEFS and muscular strength.