title: Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy on neuromuscular parameters and health status in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and low-level laser therapy on neuromuscular parameters and health status in elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized evaluator-blinded clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five elderly women with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were randomized into 1 of the following 3 intervention groups: electrical stimulation group (18-32 min pulsed current, stimulation frequency 80 Hz, pulse duration 400 μs, stimulation intensity 40% of maximal isometric voluntary contraction), laser group (dose 4-6 J per point, 6 points at the knee joint) or combined group (electrical stimulation plus laser therapy). The outcomes included muscle thickness and anatomical cross-sectional area (ultrasonography), knee extensors' electrical activity (electromyography), torque (dynamometry) and health status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index). All groups underwent a 4-week control period (without intervention) followed by an 8-week intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Muscle thickness and anatomical cross-sectional area increased in the electrical stimulation and combined groups. All groups presented similar improvements in torque, electrical activity and health status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electrical stimulation alone or in combination with laser therapy generated positive effects on all evaluated parameters. Laser therapy increased health status and electrical activity, but had no effect on muscle mass.
authors.affiliation: Ave Willy Eugênio Fleck 1500, n. 1500, casa 187 , 90150-180 Porto Alegre, Brazil. momelo@ucs.br.
authors.forename: Mônica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Melo
authors.forename: Klauber Dalcero
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Pompeo
authors.forename: Bruno Manfredini
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.forename: Marco Aurélio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vaz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D019415:Torque