BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of osteoarthritis and a leading cause of chronic pain in adults. This study aimed to compare the short-term effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) on pain, function, and quality of life in patients with knee OA. METHODS: A hundred and twenty patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 to 3 knee OA were randomized into four groups: ESWT (once a week for three sessions), LLLT (twice a week for eight sessions), PEMF (twice a week for eight sessions), and a control group with 30 patients in each group. All participants were instructed in a daily exercise program, including knee joint range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises (3 x 10 repetitions). Outcome measures, including the visual analog scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, were assessed at baseline after treatment and at the third month. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between groups at baseline regarding VAS, WOMAC, SF-36, and TUG scores (p > 0.05). Significant improvements were observed in all parameters post-treatment for all groups (p < 0.001). However, the improvements in the PEMF group were significantly lower than in the ESWT and LLLT groups, particularly for VAS, WOMAC pain, and SF-36 physical function scores (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between ESWT and LLLT (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the short-term, ESWT, LLLT, and PEMF effectively reduce pain, improve physical function, and enhance quality of life in patients with knee OA, though PEMF showed less pronounced improvements.

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