Comparison between Low-Level and High-Intensity Laser Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

Ahmad, Mohd Azzuan; Moganan, Mageswari; A Hamid, Mohamad Shariff; Sulaiman, Norhuda; Moorthy, Ushantini; Hasnan, Nazirah; Yusof, Ashril

Background: Low-level (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) can be beneficial additions to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) rehabilitation exercises; however, it is still being determined which electrophysical agent is more effective. Aim: To compare the effects of LLLT and HILT as adjuncts to rehabilitation exercises (LL EX and HL EX) on clinical outcomes in KOA. Methods: Thirty-four adults with mild-to-moderate KOA were randomly allocated to either LL EX or HL EX (n = 17 each). Both groups underwent their respective intervention weekly for twelve weeks: LL EX (400 mW, 830 nm, 10 to 12 J/cm2, and 400 J per session) or HL EX (5 W, 1064 nm, 19 to 150 J/cm2, and 3190 J per session). The laser probe was placed vertically in contact with the knee and moved in a slow-scan manner on the antero-medial/lateral sides of the knee joint. Participants' Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), active knee flexion, and Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG) were assessed. Results: Post intervention, both groups showed improvements in their KOOS, NPRS, active knee flexion, and TUG scores compared to baseline (p < 0.01). The mean difference of change in KOOS, NPRS, and active knee flexion scores for the HL EX group surpassed the minimal clinically important difference threshold. In contrast, the LL EX group only demonstrated clinical significance for the NPRS scores. Conclusions: Incorporating HILT as an adjunct to usual KOA rehabilitation led to significantly higher improvements in pain, physical function, and knee-related disability compared to LLLT applied in scanning mode.

PHOTOBIOMODULATION therapy; KNEE osteoarthritis; KNEE joint; LASER therapy; CLINICAL trials; PHYSICAL mobility; HIGH-intensity interval training

Life (2075-1729), 2023, Vol 13, Issue 7, p1519

2075-1729

Academic Journal

10.3390/life13071519