BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a degenerative, painful pathology, needing conservative treatment for symptoms' relief. OBJECTIVE: Comparing the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and kinesiotherapy (KIN) on perceived health and range of motion (ROM) of the affected knee. METHOD: A pilot randomized controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, intention-to-treat analysis. Forty participants, aged 40 to 75 with OA of the knee were randomized to an ESWT and a KIN groups. The ESWT group completed 5 interventions for 5 weeks, the KIN group completed the same number of interventions. All evaluations were performed at baseline and after the treatment for: perceived health (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities questionnaire -- WOMAC), range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: After the intervention the statistical significant between groups differences favoring the ESWT were found in the WOMAC with regard to pain (p < 0.000), stiffness (p = 0.018), physical function (p < 0.000), total score (p < 0.000), extension and flexion of the affected knee (p = 0.015, p < 0.000) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ESWT improves WOMAC and ROM better then KIN on the affected knee in patients with OA of the knee.

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