Long-term results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of low-level laser therapy before exercises in knee osteoarthritis: laser and exercises in knee osteoarthritis:

Objectives:To assess the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in combination with strengthening exercises in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.Design:Follow-up results at three and six months in a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Setting:Specialist Rehabilitation Services.Subjects:Forty participants of both genders, aged 50–75 years with knee osteoarthritis grade 2–4 on Kellgren–Lawrence scale.Intervention:The LLLT group received 10 LLLT treatments with invisible infrared laser (904 nm, 3 Joules/point) over three weeks followed by an eight-week supervised strengthening exercise program. The placebo LLLT group received identical treatment, but the infrared laser output was disabled.Main measures:Pain on a visual analogue scale, paracetamol consumption, and osteoarthritis severity measured by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne Index.Results:The new data obtained during the follow-up period show...