Ahmad MA, Moganan M, A Hamid MS, Sulaiman N, Moorthy U, Hasnan N, Yusof A.

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides better pain and functional outcomes for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) when used as an adjunct to exercise therapy (EX).

Methods:

  • Participants: 34 adults with mild-to-moderate KOA.
  • Treatment: All participants completed an exercise program tailored to the individual’s needs and was conducted weekly for 12 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to either:
    • HILT + EX: Patients in this group were treated with laser therapy once per week for 15 minutes for 12 weeks. The laser had an output power of 5 W, and patients received a total dose of 3,190 J per session.
    • LLLT + EX: Patients in this group were treated with laser therapy once per week for 15 minutes for 12 weeks. The laser had a peak output power of 400 mW, and patients received a total dose of 400 J per session.
  • Assessments: Study outcome measures included the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), active knee flexion, and Timed Up-and-Go test (TUG). Outcomes were assessed prior to start of laser therapy and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results:

  • Improvements: Though both groups showed statistically significant improvements in KOOS, NPRS, active knee flexion, and TUG scores compared to baseline, the HILT + EX group performed significantly better in all outcomes. The HILT + EX group also demonstrated clinically significant improvement in KOOS and NPRS.
  • HILT vs. LLLT: HILT is better than LLLT in relieving KOA patients’ pain and improving their physical function and knee-related quality of life. For example, the average LLLT + EX group pain score decreased by 32%, but the average HILT + EX group pain score decreased by 50%. In addition, the average KOOS score for the HILT + EX group improved by 32% while the LLLT + EX group improved by only 11%.

Conclusion:

  • Effectiveness: Combining laser therapy with knee rehabilitation exercises improves KOA patients’ knee pain, function, and mobility. Because the best results were seen when patients were treated with a high-intensity laser, the authors suggest that HILT is the more effective treatment option than LLLT for managing KOA.

Citation:

Ahmad MA, Moganan M, A Hamid MS, et al. Comparison between Low-Level and High-Intensity Laser Therapy as an Adjunctive Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. Life (Basel). 2023;13(7):1519. Published 2023 Jul 6. doi:10.3390/life13071519