Short-term effects of 890-nanometer radiation on pain, physical activity, and postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
Journal
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Journal Volume
93
Journal Issue
5
Pages
757-764
Date Issued
2012
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effects of short-term light therapy with 890-nm radiation on pain, physical activity, and postural stability in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Setting: Rehabilitation clinic. Participants: Women (n=62) and men (n=10) with a mean age of 61.2 years (range, 40-88y). All patients fulfilled the combined clinical and radiographic criteria for knee OA as established by the American College of Rheumatology, and all had obtained a Kellgren-Lawrence score of 2 or more. Interventions: Participants received 6 sessions, lasting 40 minutes each, of active or placebo radiation treatment over the knee joints for 2 weeks (wavelength, 890nm; radiant power output, 6.24W; power density, 34.7mW/cm 2 for 40 minutes; total energy, 41.6J/cm 2 per knee per session). Main Outcome Measures: Participants were assessed weekly over 4 weeks using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for pain, stiffness, and physical function. Physical activity (timed stair climbing, 10-m fast-speed walking, and chair-rising time) and postural stability (using the postural stability evaluation system) were also assessed. The pain score on WOMAC was the primary outcome variable. Data were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of covariance. Results: Compared with baseline, no significant improvement was observed between groups for pain (P=.546), stiffness (P=.573), or physical function (P=.904). No significant improvement was noted for physical activity including the 10-m fast-speed walking time (P=.284), stair-climbing time (P=.202), stair-descending time (P=.468), chair-rising time (P=.499), or postural stability (P=.986) at the 4 follow-up assessments. Follow-up assessments were conducted after 1 week of treatment (thus, after 3 treatments); after 2 weeks of treatment (thus, after 6 treatments); and 1 and 2 weeks, respectively, after treatment was terminated. Although we found a significant time effect for the 10-m fast-speed walking time (P<.001) in the 2 groups, and a significant group effect in the improvement of stair-climbing time in the treatment group (P=.032), the group × time interaction effects were not significant. Conclusions: Short-term 890-nm radiation therapy for patients with knee OA provided no beneficial effect in improving pain, physical activity, and postural stability. ? 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
SDGs
Other Subjects
placebo; adult; aged; article; climbing; clinical assessment; controlled study; double blind procedure; female; follow up; human; joint stability; knee osteoarthritis; knee pain; knee radiography; major clinical study; male; monotherapy; outcome assessment; physical activity; radiography; randomized controlled trial; scoring system; walking; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthralgia; Chi-Square Distribution; Double-Blind Method; Exercise Test; Female; Humans; Infrared Rays; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Activity; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Postural Balance
Type
journal article