ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthrosis is one of the most common joint disorders at the old age. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of action potential simulation with low-level LASER in reducing pain and improving function of these patients
Materials and methods: This double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in Zahedan in 2009. After taking written voluntary informed consent, 30 women with knee osteoarthrosis were randomly assigned to two equal groups through a lottery. In LASER group, a low-level Ga-As LASER was applied with a dosage of 9 J/cm2 for 6 minutes, and in Action Potential Simulation group, APS was applied with an intensity of 1 mA for 16 minutes. A 16-session treatment program was performed for both groups. Before and after intervention, we measured pain through Visual Analogue Scale, function with Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], and range of knee flexion with goniometer, physical function with WOMAC, muscle atrophy and swelling with tape measure. Paired and independent t-tests were used for data analysis
Results: Knee pain decreased from 7.75 +/- 1.58 to 5.37 +/- 1.5 in LASER group and from 7.5 +/- 1.19 to 6.75 +/- 1.38 in APS group and total score of WOMAC decreased from 42 +/- 6.54 to 39.12+/-6.53 in LASER group and from 43.37 +/- 11.21 to 39.62 +/- 8.86 in APS group [p<0.05]. Pain reduction was significant in LASER group compared to APS [p<0.05]
Conclusion: The results showed that low-level LASER therapy and APS could decrease pain and improve function of the knee. However, LASER is more effective than APS in decreasing pain