title: Efficacy of low level laser therapy associated with exercises in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the effects of low level laser therapy in combination with a programme of exercises on pain, functionality, range of motion, muscular strength and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with sequential allocation of patients to different treatment groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Special Rehabilitation Services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty participants with knee osteoarthritis, 2-4 osteoarthritis degree, aged between 50 and 75 years and both genders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized into one of two groups: the laser group (low level laser therapy dose of 3 J and exercises) or placebo group (placebo laser and exercises).
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), functionality using the Lequesne questionnaire, range of motion with a universal goniometer, muscular strength using a dynamometer, and activity using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) questionnaire at three time points: (T1) baseline, (T2) after the end of laser therapy (three weeks) and (T3) the end of the exercises (11 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  When comparing groups, significant differences in the activity were also found (P = 0.03). No other significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in other variables. In intragroup analysis, participants in the laser group had significant improvement, relative to baseline, on pain (P = 0.001), range of motion (P = 0.01), functionality (P = 0.001) and activity (P < 0.001). No significant improvement was seen in the placebo group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that low level laser therapy when associated with exercises is effective in yielding pain relief, function and activity on patients with osteoarthritis of the knees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, São Paulo University, São Paulo, Brazil. patriciaalfredo@usp.br
authors.forename: Patrícia Pereira
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Alfredo
authors.forename: Jan Magnus
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bjordal
authors.forename: Sílvia Helena
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Dreyer
authors.forename: Sarah Rúbia Ferreira
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Meneses
authors.forename: Giovana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaguetti
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ovanessian
authors.forename: Thiago Yukio
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Washington Steagall
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Junior
authors.forename: Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão
authors.initials: RÁ
authors.lastname: Lopes Martins
authors.forename: Raquel Aparecida
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Casarotto
authors.forename: Amélia Pasqual
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires