Randomized controlled trial on low level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand.
OBJECTIVE
Low level laser therapy (LLLT) offers promising symptomatic relief of osteoarthritic (OA) pain. We examined efficacy of active LLLT versus sham LLLT on finger joints and three superficial nerves.


METHODS
OA-patients randomly assigned, received three treatments per week for 6 weeks of LLLT (n = 42) or sham LLLT (n = 46).


RESULTS
Pain relief, morning stiffness, and functional status did not significantly improve for LLLT versus placebo. No significant differences were found in finger range of motion, except carpometacarpal opposition (P = 0.011), grip strength, and patient global assessment which improved for active LLLT participants (P = 0.041).


CONCLUSIONS
LLLT is no better than placebo at reducing pain, morning stiffness, or improving functional status for OA-hand patients.
Brosseau
Lucie
L
School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada. Lucie.Brosseau@uottawa.ca
Wells
George
G
Marchand
Serge
S
Gaboury
Isabelle
I
Stokes
Barbara
B
Morin
Michelle
M
Casimiro
Lynn
L
Yonge
Katharine
K
Tugwell
Peter
P
D000368:Aged; D000535:Aluminum; D001152:Arsenicals; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005708:Gallium; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001152:Arsenicals; D005708:Gallium; D000535:Aluminum