High-Intensity Laser Therapy: Effectiveness on Knee Osteoarthritis Patients

Baskent University43 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study is to investigate the additional benefits of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) over conventional physiotherapy, related to pain and function, in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

The study was performed in Baskent University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Unit. 43 patients of both sexes, who were diagnosed clinical and radiographic knee osteoarthritis, with Kellgren Lawrence Grade 2 and 3, were randomly assigned in two groups. Group 1 (n = 21) received TENS, HP, exercises (EX), and High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT; Nd:yag laser, 10W). Group 2 (n = 22) received the same interventions but placebo HILT. All interventions were applied for 10 sessions. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario \& McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Questionnaire (WOMAC), and Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI) were performed before, after, and at 12-week follow-up.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Osteoarthritis, Knee

Interventions

High Intensity Laser TherapyOTHER

HILT is applied per session, with a maximum of 10.0 W, a mean of 5.7 W, a dose of 99 J/cm², and a total energy flux of 2079 J were applied over 6 minutes and 5 seconds on a 21 cm² field on the medial aspect of the knee joint.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve StimulationOTHER

TENS is an analgesic modality of physical therapy

HotpacksOTHER

Hotpacks is a thermoanalgesia modality of physical therapy

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 40 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * both sexes and age between 40 and 65; * pain at least 3 months on single or both knees * diagnosed as KOA with Kellgren Lawrence (KL) Grade 2 or 3 KOA on weight-bearing anteroposterior X-ray images * normal serum acute phase reactants and uric acid levels * had no major effusion in the joint. Exclusion Criteria: * therapeutic joint injection in the last 6 months * physical therapy and/or HILT in the last 3 months * any surgical invention for the knee joint * malignancy in the last 5 years.

Locations (1)

Başkent University Faculty of Medicine

Yüreğir, Adana, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

The VAS was assessed before treatment, at the end of 10 sessions, and at the 12 week follow-up. Min score was 0 and max score was 100. Higher scores on the VAS indicate greater pain.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Questionnaire (WOMAC)

The WOMAC was assessed before treatment, at the end of 10 sessions, and at the 12 week follow-up. Higher scores on the WOMAC indicate poorer functional capacity and greater pain and stiffness.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Lequesne Algofunctional Index (LAI)

The LAI was assessed before treatment, at the end of 10 sessions, and at the 12 week follow-up. Higher scores on the LAI indicate poorer functional capacity and greater pain and stiffness.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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