title: Assessment of the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
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/cm(2) 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.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Rehabilitation Section, Rheumatology Division, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 740, 04023-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra Mara
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Meireles
authors.forename: Anamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Alina Lica
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Suda
authors.forename: Nivaldo Antônio
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Parizotto
authors.forename: Jamil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Natour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005708:Gallium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010919:Placebos; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001152:Arsenicals; D010919:Placebos; C043055:gallium arsenide; D005708:Gallium; D000535:Aluminum