Assessment of the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.
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.
Meireles
Sandra Mara
SM
Rheumatology Rehabilitation Section, Rheumatology Division, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Botucatu, 740, 04023-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Jones
Anamaria
A
Jennings
Fabio
F
Suda
Alina Lica
AL
Parizotto
Nivaldo Antônio
NA
Natour
Jamil
J
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
D001152:Arsenicals; D010919:Placebos; C043055:gallium arsenide; D005708:Gallium; D000535:Aluminum