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Therapeutic Efficacy of Exercise and Laser Therapy in the Symptomatic Management of Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
Abstract
Laser therapy is considered as one of the therapeutic modalities used in the management of osteoarthritis. However, its effectiveness is still
controversial and ambiguous. The main purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of Laser therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Sixteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis
of the knee were grouped into Low Level Laser Therapy ([LLLT], n=10) and control (n=6) groups. Both groups received standard care of exercise (mode: low intensity, time: 15 minutes) per session for 6 weeks. In addition to the exercise, the LLLT group received 18 LLLT (Laser class 3b, frequency of 5KHz, wave length of 810nm) treatments for 10 minutes. The control group received exercise therapy only. Pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and range of motion (ROM) for pain and stiffness respectively were assessed. Collected data was processed and analyzed using students't-test to determine if significant differences exist between theLLLTand control groups. Findings of the study revealed no significant effect of LLLT over exercise in VAS and ROM. The study affirms and concluded that exercise therapy should form the basis and bulk adjunct physical therapy in the management of osteoarthritis over Laser therapy.
controversial and ambiguous. The main purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of Laser therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Sixteen patients with chronic osteoarthritis
of the knee were grouped into Low Level Laser Therapy ([LLLT], n=10) and control (n=6) groups. Both groups received standard care of exercise (mode: low intensity, time: 15 minutes) per session for 6 weeks. In addition to the exercise, the LLLT group received 18 LLLT (Laser class 3b, frequency of 5KHz, wave length of 810nm) treatments for 10 minutes. The control group received exercise therapy only. Pain (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and range of motion (ROM) for pain and stiffness respectively were assessed. Collected data was processed and analyzed using students't-test to determine if significant differences exist between theLLLTand control groups. Findings of the study revealed no significant effect of LLLT over exercise in VAS and ROM. The study affirms and concluded that exercise therapy should form the basis and bulk adjunct physical therapy in the management of osteoarthritis over Laser therapy.
