title: Efficacy of low-level laser therapy applied at acupuncture points in knee osteoarthritis: a randomised double-blind comparative trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied to acupuncture points on the knee joint in combination with exercise and advice in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised, double-blind, comparative clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine patients with knee osteoarthritis were assigned at random into two groups: active laser group (n=26) and placebo laser group (n=23).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a gallium aluminium arsenide laser device, patients received either active or placebo LLLT at five acupuncture points on the affected knee during nine sessions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Saudi Knee Function Scale (SKFS) at baseline, the fifth treatment session, the last treatment session, 6 weeks post intervention and 6 months post intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS scores showed a significant improvement in the active laser group compared with the placebo laser group at 6 weeks post intervention [mean difference -1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference -2.4 to -0.3; P=0.014] and 6 months post intervention (mean difference -1.8, 95% CI of the difference -3.0 to -0.7; P=0.003) using the independent samples test. SKFS scores also showed a significant improvement in the active laser group compared with the placebo laser group at the last treatment session (median difference -15, 95% CI of the difference -27 to -2; P=0.035) and 6 months post intervention (median difference -21, 95% CI of the difference -34 to -7; P=0.006) using the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that short-term application of LLLT to specific acupuncture points in association with exercise and advice is effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Al Rashoud
authors.affiliation: Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Abboud
authors.affiliation: Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Motion Analysis and Research, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: c.a.wigderowitz@dundee.ac.uk.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wigderowitz
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Acupuncture for knee joint; Laser acupuncture; Laser therapy; Low-level laser therapy (LLLT); Osteoarthritis of knee; Phototherapy