[The combined laser therapy of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Kombinirovannaia lazernaia terapiia revmatoidnogo artrita.

Low-intensity infrared laser radiation to the tympanic vessels was studied as one of the hemophysiotherapeutic methods and as a component of combined treatment in which it accompanies local transcutaneous laser radiation of the affected joints. It is shown that immunomodulation is feasible under noninvasive interauricular laser effect on hemostasis. Indications for both laser regimens are formulated. Joint exposure to transcutaneous laser radiation is contraindicated if the affected joints have an exudative component of inflammation.

[The interauricular laser therapy of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Interaurikuliarnaia lazernaia terapiia revmatoidnogo artrita.

Investigations have proved the ability of interauricular low-intensity infrared laser therapy (0.89 nm, 7.6 J/cm) to produce anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating action in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The method has selective, pathogenetically directed immunomodulating effect the mechanism of which is similar to that of basic antirheumatic drugs and of intravenous laser radiation of blood. This laser therapy can be used as an alternative to intravenous blood radiation being superior as a noninvasive method. Interauricular laser therapy can potentiate the effects of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, cytostatics and diminish their side effects.

[The use of low-temperature pelotherapy in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (II)]. / Primenenie nizkotemperaturnoi peloidoterapii v lechenii bol'nykh revmatoidnym artritom (soobshchenie II).

Low-temperature peloids (t = +13, +14, +15 degrees C) application in rheumatoid arthritis patients produces local antiinflammatory, analgetic actions, suppresses immunocompetent system, improves locomotor functions. The above balneotherapy is indicated for patients with articular seropositive or seronegative RA irrespective of its activity in the presence of exudative-proliferative manifestations in the affected joints. In articular-visceral RA it is better to apply peloids in minimal activity of the inflammation.

[The use of low-temperature peloids in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (I)]. / Primenenie peloidov nizkikh temperatur v lechenii bol'nykh revmatoidnym artritom (soobshchenie I).

The effect of peloids having low temperatures of +23-25 degrees C was studied in 65 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Pelotherapy was found to produce antiinflammatory, anesthetic, desensitizing effects, to improve metabolic trophic processes, locomotor activity, and to exert immunomediator action. The therapy is indicated for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, activity degree II and III, its seropositive type in the presence of exudative proliferative manifestations in the articulations.