Effect of low level laser therapy associated or not with physical exercise in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: blinded and randomized clinical trial on the impact of physical therapy on gait, muscle strength and functionality

Author(s)

Roberta de Matos Brunelli Braghin

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2017-12-05

Examining board members

Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu; Simone Appenzeller; Renato de Moraes; Renê Donizeti Ribeiro de Oliveira; Paulo Roberto Pereira Santiago

• Advisor: Daniela Cristina Carvalho de Abreu

Abstract

Objective: To verify the effects of physical therapy interventions, low level laser therapy (LLLT) and physical exercises (PE), in an associated or isolated way, on knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method: Randomized, controlled and blind clinical trial. Sixty individuals, both sexes, aged 45 to 75 years, with radiographic diagnosis of KOA, grades 1 to 3, were randomly assigned into four groups: 1) Control group (CG, n=15): patients with KOA, without treatment; 2) Laser group (LG, n=15): patients with KOA, treated with LLLT (808nm, 5.6J); 3) Exercise group (EG, n=15): patients with KOA, treated with PE; 4) Laser and Exercise group (LEG, n=15): patients with KOA, treated with LLLT and PE. The evaluations were performed at Laboratory of Assessment and Rehabilitation of Equilibrium, in the beginning and after 2 months, including the WOMAC questionnaire (pain, stiffness and physical function); evaluation of spatiotemporal gait variables was performed on GAITRite equipment; evaluation of knee extensor muscle torque using the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer and the functionality (step up/over and sit-to-stand test) through the Balance Master equipment. The treatment was performed for 2 months, twice a week. In the statistical analysis, Wilcoxon test (non-parametric data), and Anova Two Way followed Tukey\'s post hoc test (parametric data) were used, with significance level of 5%, using SPSS software. Results: in the WOMAC questionnaire, mean difference only in the comparison intragroup for the EG in the variables: pain (p=0.006), physical function (p=0.01) and total WOMAC (p=0.01). Regarding gait variables, in the intragroup analysis, the only variable that presented a significant difference was the duration of the right support phase, and the LG, EG and LEG had a significant decrease in this variable (p=0.014, p=0.011, p=0.035, respectively) in relation to the pre-treatment period. In the intergroup evaluation, a significant increase in gait speed occurred in the groups: GL, GE and GLE compared to the CG (p=0.03, p=0.04 and p=0.005, respectively). In the cadence there was a significant increase only in the LEG compared to the CG (0.009). In the duration of the right support phase, the GE and GLE groups presented a significant decrease (p=0.035 and p=0.003, respectively) in relation to the CG. In the analysis of the duration of single right limb support, only the LEG presented a significant increase (p=0.04) in relation to the CG. In the isokinetic analysis of the torque of knee extensors, only in the intergroup evaluation after 2 months, the left lower limb presented significant increase in the EG (p=0.03) and LEG (p=0.04) groups in relation to the CG. In the step up/over test, in the intragroup evaluation, only the LEG showed a significant decrease (p=0.04) in the transfer time variable in the intragroup comparison. In the sit-to-stand test, in the variable of time of transfer, only the EG showed a significant decrease (p=0.04) in the intragroup comparison. Conclusion: in general, the groups: EG and LEG presented more benefits when compared to the GC and GL groups, this suggests that EF should be included in the treatment of KOA, and may be added to LLLT. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/18319-3 - Effect of low power laser associated or not a physical exercise in subjects with knee osteoarthritis: randomized clinical trial on the impact of physical therapy in control and functionality postural
• Grantee: Roberta de Matos Brunelli Braghin
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate