title: The effects of physical therapeutic agents on serum levels of stress hormones in patients with osteoarthritis.
abstract: To investigate the effects of physical agents on the levels of stress hormones in patients with osteoarthritis (OA).Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, hot packs, and therapeutic ultrasound were applied to the lumbar region and knees of patients with OA. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of the serum levels of glucose, insulin (INS), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), cortisol (COR), and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) immediately before and after the 1st session, to investigate the acute effects of those physical agents on the endocrine system. The hormone levels were also measured every 5 sessions in a total of 10 sessions. The treatment response was also evaluated by using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) throughout the therapy period.After the 1st session, there was a decrease in INS levels and a mild decrease in PRL levels (P = 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Throughout the 10-session therapy period, the INS levels increased, whereas the ACTH and COR levels decreased (P < 0.05 for all). The VAS-spine, RMDQ, VAS-knee, and WOMAC scores decreased (P = 0.001 for VAS-spine and P < 0.001 for all others). A positive correlation was detected between the changes in serum COR and WOMAC-pain score (P < 0.05).Although the combination therapy caused changes in INS level accompanied with steady glucose levels, the application of physical agents did not adversely affect the hormone levels. The decrease in ACTH and COR levels may be attributed to the analgesic effect of agents and may be an indicator of patient comfort through a central action.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu Department of Medical Biochemistry, Istanbul Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Şükrü Burak
authors: ŞB
authors: Tönük
authors: Erdinc
authors: E
authors: Serin
authors: Fikriye Figen
authors: FF
authors: Ayhan
authors: Zeynep Rezan
authors: ZR
authors: Yorgancioglu
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone