title: Comparative evaluation of the direct analgesic efficacy of selected physiotherapeutic methods in subjects with knee joint degenerative disease - preliminary report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goals of the study were to evaluate the efficacy of two physiotherapeutic procedures: low energy laser therapy and low frequency transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) and to compare these modalities with regard to their therapeutic effects in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty (50) subjects were enrolled into the study and divided into two groups of 25 subjects. Group A received 10 MLS laser therapy sessions with a synchronised laser beam at doses of 12 J per treated site. Group B received ten sessions of low frequency TENS. The procedures were carried out every day for two weeks (5 times a week). All patients completed a personal data questionnaire and underwent an examination of knee joint motion range and circumference. Subjective pain intensity was assessed using the VAS pain scale and the modified Laitinen questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An analysis of the results of the treatment demonstrated statistically significant pain reduction in both groups. This improvement was significantly higher in the two-phase laser therapy group vs. the LF-TENS group. No statistically significant improvement was noted in either of the groups regarding the knee joint range of motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  1. Synchronised laser beam (MLS) therapy and low-frequency TENS contribute to direct pain relief effects in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. 2. The study confirmed better analgesic effects of two-phase laser therapy vs. LF-TENS.
authors: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Medical University, Łodź.
authors: Tomasz
authors: T
authors: Kędzierski
authors: Katarzyna
authors: K
authors: Stańczak
authors: Kamila
authors: K
authors: Gworys
authors: Jowita
authors: J
authors: Gasztych
authors: Marcin
authors: M
authors: Sibiński
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Kujawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*