Effect of laser and stretching exercises in patients with knee osteoarthritis

• Grant number: 12/01827-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Amélia Pasqual Marques
• Grantee: Sarah Rúbia Ferreira de Meneses
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent disease associated with significant morbidity, one of the most common causes of functional limitations and dependence. This study aims to investigate the effects of low intensity laser (904nm) and stretching exercises in pain, range of motion, flexibility, functionality and quality of life of patients with knee OA according to the criteria of the American College of rheumatology. Methods: The sample consists of 45 patients aged between 50 and 75 years, from the Rehabilitation Center Taboão da Serra - SP, who have knee pain, functional reduction in the last three months and grade between 2 and 4 classification of OA by Kellgren and Lawrence (1957). Patients will be divided into three groups: Group A - Low Intensity Laser (LLLT) with an active dose of 3J more stretching exercises, Group B - LBI placebo plus stretching exercises and Group C - only stretching exercises. In the first three weeks, the treatment will be done with the LBI totaling nine sessions (only Groups A and B) and in the next eight weeks will be performed stretching exercises totaling 24 sessions (all groups). Those who carry out laser application (Groups A and B) will be assessed before the intervention, the end of the application of LLLT (3 weeks) and at the end of the intervention (8 weeks), group C has only perform the initial assessment and at the end of the sessions of stretching. The clinical evaluation included pain intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS) functionality by Questionnaire Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (Koos), Lequesne's Functional Questionnaire, Get Up and Go Test and test walk 8 meters, the range of movement of flexion and knee extension and shortening of the hamstrings with the goniometer; flexibility through the 3 rd finger to test soil and the quality of life questionnaire by Koos. The data will be considered statistically significant at ± <0.05. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROBBINS, SARAH R.; ALFREDO, PATRICIA P.; JUNIOR, WASHINGTON S.; MARQUES, AMELIA P.. Low-level laser therapy and static stretching exercises for patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial. CLINICAL REHABILITATION, v. 36, n. 2, OCT 2021. (12/01827-3)

FERREIRA DE MENESES, SARAH RUBIA; HUNTER, DAVID JOHN; DOCKO, EUNICE YOUNG; MARQUES, AMELIA PASQUAL. Effect of low-level laser therapy (904 nm) and static stretching in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol of randomised controlled trial. BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, v. 16, SEP 14 2015. (12/01827-3)