Synergic effects of ultrasound and laser on the pain relief in women with hand osteoarthritis

Author(s)

Paolillo, Alessandra Rossi ^{[1, 2]} ; Paolillo, Fernanda Rossi ^[1] ; Joao, Jessica Patricia ^[1] ; Joao, Herbert Alexandre ^[1] ; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Opt Grp, Phys Inst Sao Carlos IFSC, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Occupat Therapy, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Lasers in Medical Science; v. 30, n. 1, p. 279-286, JAN 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 11

Abstract

Patients with pain avoid movements, leading to a gradual impairment of their physical condition and functionality. In this context, the use of ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) show promising results for nonpharmacological and noninvasive treatment. The aim of this study was evaluated the synergistic effects of the US and the LLLT (new prototype) with or without therapeutic exercises (TE) on pain and grip strength in women with hand osteoarthritis. Forty-five women with hand osteoarthritis, aged 60 to 80 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, but 43 women successfully completed the full study. The three groups were as follows: (i) the placebo group which did not perform TE, but the prototype without emitting electromagnetic or mechanical waves was applied (n = 11); (ii) the US + LLLT group which carried out only the prototype (n = 13); and (iii) the TE + US + LLLT group which performed TE before the prototype is applied (n = 13). The parameters of US were frequency 1 MHz; 1.0 W/cm(2) intensity, pulsed mode 1:1 (duty cycle 50 %). Regarding laser, the output power of the each laser was fixed at 100 mW leading to an energy value of 18 J per laser. Five points were irradiated per hand, during 3 min per point and 15 min per session. The prototype was applied after therapeutic exercises. The treatments are done once a week for 3 months. Grip strength and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. Grip strength did not differ significantly for any of the groups (p a parts per thousand yenaEuro parts per thousand 0.05). The average PPT between baseline and 3 months shows significant decrease of the pain sensitivity for both the US + LLLT group (a dagger aEuro parts per thousand= 30 +/- 19 N, pE,0.001) and the TE + US + LLLT group (a dagger aEuro parts per thousand= 32 +/- 13 N, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in average PPT for placebo group (a dagger aEuro parts per thousand= -0.3 +/- 9 N). There was no placebo effect. The new prototype that combines US and LLLT reduced pain in women with hand osteoarthritis. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center
• Grantee: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC
• FAPESP's process: 13/14001-9 - FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY OF TOOTH IN OVARIECTOMIZED RATS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS DIAGNOSIS
• Grantee: Fernanda Rossi Paolillo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral