We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Assessment of the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
- Authors
Meireles, Sandra Mara; Jones, Anamaria; Jennings, Fabio; Suda, Alina Lica; Parizotto, Nivaldo Antônio; Natour, Jamil
- Abstract
Assess the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on pain reduction and improvement in function in the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized double-blind controlled trial was carried out on 82 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The experimental group was submitted to the application of laser therapy, whereas the control group received a placebo laser. Aluminum gallium arsenide laser was used, at a wavelength of 785 nm, dose of 3 J/cm2 and mean power of 70 mW. The groups were homogenous at the beginning of the study with regard to the main variables ( p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in most of the measurements taken at the end of the intervention including the primary variables; the following variables were the exceptions: favoring the experimental group—inflammation of the interphalangeal joint of the right thumb ( p = 0.012) and perimetry of the interphalangeal joint of the left thumb ( p = 0.013); and favoring the control group—flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the right fifth finger ( p = 0.021), perimetry of the third proximal interphalangeal joint of the right hand ( p = 0.044), grip strength in the left hand ( p = 0.010), and the work domain of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire ( p = 0.010). We conclude that low-level aluminum gallium arsenide laser therapy is not effective at the wavelength, dosage, and power studied for the treatment of hands among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Subjects
MEDICAL lasers; RHEUMATOID arthritis; PLACEBOS; REHABILITATION; QUESTIONNAIRES
- Publication
Clinical Rheumatology, 2010, Vol 29, Issue 5, p501
- ISSN
0770-3198
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10067-009-1347-0