The efficacy of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in knee osteoarthritis

Completed

Conditions: Knee osteoarthritis
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Gonarthrosis [arthrosis of knee]

Registration Number: ISRCTN24010862

Lead Sponsor: Security Forces Hospital (Saudi Arabia)

Brief Summary: Not available

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Completed

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 42

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients who had knee OA (both male and female aged 35 and over) according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria
2. Had an average pain intensity of 3 or more on a 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS)
3. Had an ability to practice all movements included in the evaluation forms
4. Had the ability to read or understand the patient information sheets and the ability to sign a consent form

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with previous knee surgery, serious valgus or varus deformity and any disease where laser treatment is contraindicated, such as cancer, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and hypertension
2. Patients already using medications that may interfere with LLLT treatment for less than six weeks, such as corticosteroid injections

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The change in the VAS scores for pain during movement. It consists of a 10 cm line anchored at each end (0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable <br>pain). All evaluations for both primary and secondary outcomes were administrated at the 5th treatment session, at the 9th treatment session, after 6 weeks, and after 6 months of the last treatment session. All evaluations were performed by the investigator.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
1. The Saudi knee functional scale (SKFS): It is a multidimensional self-administered, and Arabic language instrument that emphasises pain (8 items), stiffness (2 items), physical function activities (12 items), social activities (3 items), and psychological activities (3 items) related to KOA.<br>2. The degree of active knee angle flexion: measured by goniometer<br>3. Knee circumference (KC): was measured using a standard tape measure at the middle of the patella with the knee extended. <br>4. Patient satisfaction: each participant was asked to rate his satisfied about the intervention that has been received, if he has gotten any benefit. The assessment was performed using a verbal numeric scale (end-points 0% no improvement or benefit to 100% full improvement or benefit; in blocks of 5%). Evaluation started at the 5th session as a baseline, then at , at the 9th treatment session, after 6 weeks, and after 6 months of the last treatment session.