Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (34): 9056-9066.doi: 10.12307/2026.868

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Different physical factor therapies for knee osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of efficacy and safety

Wu Ruiqi1, 2, Dong Panfeng1, Zhang Hongrui1, 2, Lyu Yongbin1, 2, Peng Qinglin1, Zhuo Yinghong1, Chen Yueping1     

  1. 1Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530299, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2025-11-19 Revised:2026-01-23 Online:2026-12-08 Published:2026-04-15
  • Contact: Dong Panfeng, MS, Associate chief physician, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Wu Ruiqi, PhD candidate, Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530299, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China Corresponding author: Chen Yueping, PhD, Chief physician, Doctoral supervisor, Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, a National Flagship Department for the Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine (to CYP); Guangxi Natural Science Foundation, No. 2023JJA140318 (to CYP); Guangxi Natural Science Foundation, No. 502189963012 (to DPF); Graduate Education Innovation Program of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. YCBXJ2025029 (to WRQ); Class A Project of the Guipai Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation Team, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. 2022A004 (to CYP)

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic modalities of physical factor interventions for knee osteoarthritis have been increasingly diversified; however, comprehensive comparative evaluations of their efficacy remain limited. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of various physical factor therapies for knee osteoarthritis through a network meta-analysis.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials on physical factor therapy for knee osteoarthritis were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, VIP, WanFang, and SinoMed databases from inception to July 25, 2025. Eligible studies were screened, and data were extracted. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.4.1.
RESULTS: (1) A total of 65 randomized controlled trials involving 3 418 patients were included, with 1 726 in the intervention group and 1 692 in the control group, covering 7 types of physical factor-based rehabilitation regimens. (2) For overall clinical response rate, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were pulsed electromagnetic field therapy > ultrasound therapy > transcutaneous electrical stimulation, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. For reduction in knee pain assessed by the visual analogue scale, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were transcutaneous electrical stimulation > extracorporeal shock wave therapy > ultrasound, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. For improvement in total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were ultrasound > pulsed electromagnetic field therapy > ultrasound plus transcutaneous electrical stimulation, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. For reduction in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index stiffness subscale scores, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were transcutaneous electrical stimulation > ultrasound > ultrasound plus transcutaneous electrical stimulation, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. For improvement in 36-Item Short Form Survey quality-of-life scores, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were pulsed electromagnetic field therapy > extracorporeal shock wave therapy > ultrasound, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. For improvement in Lysholm knee scores, the top three interventions ranked by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve were ultrasound > ultrasound plus transcutaneous electrical stimulation > extracorporeal shock wave therapy, each combined with conventional rehabilitation. No serious adverse events were reported across the included studies; most trials only documented mild skin irritation or allergic reactions.
CONCLUSION: Based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve and the results of the network meta-analysis, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy demonstrated a relatively higher probability of benefit in improving visual analogue scale scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index stiffness scores in patients with knee osteoarthritis; ultrasound therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy showed comparatively better performance in improving Lysholm knee scores and total Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scores; pulsed electromagnetic field therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy exhibited a potential advantage in enhancing overall quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Each physical factor possesses its unique advantages; however, given the limitations in the quality and quantity of the included studies, these findings require further verification through high-quality, multicenter, large-sample randomized controlled trials.


Key words: knee osteoarthritis, physical factor therapy, network meta-analysis, clinical efficacy, non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation therapy, systematic review

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