Evaluation of maximal VO2, anaerobic threshold and pain level before and after an exercise program associated with the effects of photobiomodulation in women with knee osteoarthritis

• Grant number: 18/15155-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
• Grantee: Yu Pin Wen
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The arising of chronic degenerative diseases is linked to the aging process. Among these diseases, we can highlight osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a degenerative joint disease that has great variation in signs and symptoms among which we can see stiffness, discomfort and pain. Therefore, studies show that OA patients have impaired aerobic capacity. The recommendation of treatment consists primarily of non-pharmacological treatment as aerobic exercises. In addition, resources like photobiomodulation (FBM) would potentiate the results in patients with knee OA. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate before and after the treatment with aerobic exercise associated or not with FBM the maximum VO2, anaerobic threshold curve and pain level, as well stiffness and mobility of women with grade II and III knee OA in intra and intergroup comparisons. Thirty-four female participants between the ages of 55 and 70 years who present grade II and III knee OA, randomized into 2 groups, will be randomized: 1) Placebo Group and Exercise (PGE, n = 17) treatment through associated exercise protocol the placebo laser irradiation and 2) Laser Group and Exercise (LGE, n = 17) treatment through exercise protocol associated with active laser irradiation. The aerobic exercise program will be held twice a week lasting 40 minutes for a period of 8 weeks. Each session consists of: heating phase, stimulus phase, cooling phase and stretching phase of the main muscle groups of the lower and upper limbs. The cluster type FBM will be applied with infrared laser (850nm), continuous emission mode, optical output power of 100mW, 4J per point (seven points on the medial face and seven points on the lateral side of the knee), totaling 56J in the knee with greater pain and functional complaint. For initial and final evaluation, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Analogic Visual Scale (AVS) will be applied, as well as knee flexion and hyperextension measurements. The results will be described in mean and standard deviation values and later subjected to appropriate static tests.