Low Level Laser Therapy Versus Short Wave Diathermy in Patients With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 72
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Change in Functional Disability Assessed by KOOS
研究概览
简要总结
This clinical research study is comparing two non-surgical treatments-Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Short Wave Diathermy (SWD)-to see which is more effective for people with a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. The ACL is a key ligament that helps keep the knee stable during movement. When partially torn, it can cause pain, weakness, and difficulty with walking or physical activities.
LLLT, also called photobiomodulation, is a painless, light-based therapy that helps reduce swelling, relieve pain, and promote healing. SWD is a type of deep heat therapy commonly used in physiotherapy to improve circulation and tissue repair.
This study will include 72 patients between 20 and 40 years old who have been diagnosed with a partial ACL tear through MRI. All participants will receive standard physiotherapy exercises and SWD, while half will also receive LLLT.
The study aims to find out if adding LLLT can:
Reduce knee pain
Improve knee muscle strength
Help patients perform daily activities more easily
Each participant will be monitored for 6 weeks, with check-ins at the start, the 3rd week, and the 6th week. Pain levels, muscle strength, and knee function will be measured using reliable assessment tools. The results of this study may help guide better treatment options for people with ACL injuries who want to avoid surgery.
详细描述
Background & Rationale:
Partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are frequent orthopedic injuries, particularly among young adults involved in sports requiring rapid pivoting or directional changes. These injuries often result in pain, instability, muscular weakness, and functional limitations. While complete ACL tears often necessitate surgical reconstruction, partial tears are typically managed with conservative approaches such as physiotherapy and adjunctive non-invasive therapies.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), or photobiomodulation, is a non-thermal modality that promotes tissue healing through light-induced cellular stimulation. It has shown beneficial effects in reducing inflammation and pain across various musculoskeletal conditions. However, there is limited high-quality evidence evaluating its specific effects on partial ACL injuries or how it compares to widely used modalities like Short Wave Diathermy (SWD).
Study Design and Methodology:
This is a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial enrolling 72 participants aged 20-40 years with MRI-confirmed partial ACL tears. Participants are randomly assigned (n=36 each) into two groups:
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Single (Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 20 Years 至 40 Years（Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Pain in knee lasting more than 15 days (Masiero et al., 2020)
- •Unilateral partial ACL tear diagnosed with positive lachman test and negative pivot shift test (+ve pivot shift leads to complete tear) with or without other ligament tear (Song et al., 2024)
- •No other osteoarticular or soft tissue lesion (Masiero et al., 2020)
排除标准
- •Patients with tumors or other serious diseases (Song et al., 2024)
- •History of deep vein thrombosis or vascular pathology in any lower limb (Song et al., 2024)
- •Rheumatoid arthritis or other signifcant co-morbidities (Masiero et al., 2020)
- •Intraarticular injections into the knee in the preceding 6 months (Song et al., 2024)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Functional Disability Assessed by KOOS
时间窗: Baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week
The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) will be used to evaluate functional disability in participants with partial ACL tears. KOOS is a validated, 42-item questionnaire assessing five subscales: pain, symptoms, activities of daily living, sport and recreation function, and knee-related quality of life. Higher scores indicate better knee function and less disability. The score will be compared between groups over time to determine the effectiveness of LLLT in improving knee function.
次要结局
- Change in Pain Intensity Assessed by McGill Pain Questionnaire(Baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week)
- Change in Knee Muscle Strength Measured by Handheld Dynamometer(Baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week)
研究者
Sana Ali
Student
University of Lahore