title: Efficacy of pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pulsed Nd:YAG laser plus glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate (GCS) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by examining changes in pain and knee function, as well as synovial thickness (ST) and femoral cartilage thickness (FCT). Sixty-seven male patients participated, with a mean (SD) age of 53.85 (4.39) years, weight of 84.01 (4.70) kg, height of 171.51 (3.96) cm, and BMI of 28.56 (1.22). Group 1 was treated with high-intensity laser therapy (HILT), GCS, and exercises (HILT + GCS + EX). Group 2 was treated with GCS plus exercises (GCS + EX), and group 3 received placebo laser plus exercises (PL + EX). The outcomes measured were pain level and functional disability using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), respectively. ST and FCT were measured by ultrasound examination. Statistical analyses were performed to compare differences between baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment and then after 3 months of follow-up. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. VAS and WOMAC were significantly decreased in all groups after 6 weeks, with nonsignificant differences between 6 weeks and 3 months of follow-up. ST was significantly decreased in the HILT + GCS + EX group posttreatment, with nonsignificant decreases in the GCS + EX and PL + EX groups, as well as nonsignificant differences to FCT in all groups. Overall, pulsed Nd:YAG laser combined with GCS and exercises was more effective than GCS + EX and exercises alone in the treatment of KOA patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. mohsalahpt@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed Salaheldien Mohamed
authors.initials: MSM
authors.lastname: Alayat
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Um Al-Qura University Medical Center, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Tarek Helmy Ahmed
authors.initials: THA
authors.lastname: Aly
authors.affiliation: Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Aly Elsayed Mohamed
authors.initials: AEM
authors.lastname: Elsayed
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ammar Suliman Mohamed
authors.initials: ASM
authors.lastname: Fadil
mesh_terms: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D064232:Visual Analog Scale
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D005944:Glucosamine
keywords: Glucosamine/chondroitin; High-intensity laser therapy; Knee osteoarthritis; Pain; WOMAC