Efficiency of high intensity laser therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Abstract:It is aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity laser treatment (HILT) and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasound (US) combined treatment on pain, functionality, and quality of life in the patients with knee osteoarthritis. The patients were randomized into 2 groups. Combination of hot pack, TENS and US treatment were applied to the first group and HILT was applied to the second group for 2 weeks. At every visit; resting, movement and night pain scores, function, and stiffness scores were assessed.The patients were invited for the control after the treatment and in the 6th week. A total of 48 patients (33 women and 15 men, aged between 25 and 65 years, average age of 54.25 years) participated in this study. In both groups, a statistical significant change was observed in all the parameters in posttreatment measurements. In the between-groups comparison, it was observed that HILT provided a significant recovery in pain scores both after the treatment and in the 6th week than TENS and US combined treatment. HILT in knee osteoarthritis is a statistically significant efficient method on pain and functional scales compared to TENS+US combined treatment.