title: Effectiveness of phototherapy incorporated into an exercise program for osteoarthritis of the knee: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease with a multifactor etiology involving changes in bone alignment, cartilage, and other structures necessary to joint stability. There is a need to investigate therapeutic resources that combine different wavelengths as well as different light sources (low-level laser therapy and light-emitting diode therapy) in the same apparatus for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The aim of the proposed study is to analyze the effect of the incorporation of phototherapy into a therapeutic exercise program for individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial will be conducted involving patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Evaluations will be performed using functional questionnaires before and after the treatment protocols, in a reserved room with only the evaluator and participant present, and no time constraints placed on the answers or evaluations. The following functional tests will also be performed: stabilometry (balance assessment), dynamometry (muscle strength of gluteus medius and quadriceps), algometry (pain threshold), fleximeter (range of motion), timed up-and-go test (functional mobility), and the functional reach test. The participants will then be allocated to three groups through a randomization process using opaque envelopes: exercise program, exercise program + phototherapy, or exercise program + placebo phototherapy, all of which will last for eight weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to analyze the effect of the incorporation of phototherapy into a therapeutic exercise program for osteoarthritis of the knee. The study will support the practice based on evidence to the use of phototherapy in individuals with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee. Data will be published after the study is completed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The protocol for this study has been submitted to Clinical Trials, registration number NCT02102347, on 29 March 2014.
authors.forename: Carly de Faria
authors.initials: Cde F
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: Ernesto Cesar Pinto
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Leal-Junior
authors.forename: Daniela Aparecida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Biasotto-Gonzalez
authors.forename: André Serra
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bley
authors.forename: Paulo de Tarso de Camillo
authors.initials: Pde T
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Politti
authors.forename: Tabajara de Oliveira
authors.initials: Tde O
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Adriano Rodrigues
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frigero
authors.forename: Marilia Barbosa Santos
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Almir Vieira
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Dibai-Filho
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics Applied to Health Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho (UNINOVE), Av, Dr, Adolfo Pinto,109, Água Branca, 05001-100 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. cid.andre@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cid André Fidelis de Paula
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gomes
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000628:therapy*; D010789:Phototherapy; D013223:Statistics as Topic