Effects of low-level laser therapy at newest joint versus acupuncture points on pain and functional mobility in patients With Grade III knee osteoarthritis

• المؤلف الرئيسي: Afzal, Adnan
• التنسيق: أطروحة
• اللغة: الإنجليزية
• منشور في: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2026
• الموضوعات: General Works::Medicine::Therapeutics. Pharmacology; General Works::Medicine::Sports Medicine; General Works::Medicine::Other systems of medicine; Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)::Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3)
• الوصول للمادة أونلاين: https://utmik.utm.my/handle/123456789/190098

The photo biomodulator performance of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is one of the interesting scopes for researchers. Researchers are researching the performance of LLLT to improve its use in modern medicine. The knee consists of two articulations including the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral articulations. Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the most widespread debilitating conditions in the world. A prevalence of 22.9% in the geriatric population ranks it 11th in global disability. Previous investigations focused on the tibiofemoral articulation using different non-invasive modalities. Certain gaps in previous investigations question the performance of LLLT on KOA. Intriguing the performance of LLLT in KOA, an objective was established to further investigate the performance of LLLT. Objectives identified the newest point of application; investigating the performance of newest points using the pain and functional outcomes measures and to investigate the optimum treatment duration. Specific criteria were established to focus on KOA grade III and use the newest points of laser application. To confirm the effectiveness, acupuncture points were used which have been used in the past. A single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) study design was selected. An experimental design is used globally to investigate the effectiveness of a new modality. This RCT was registered in clinicaltrials.gov. An institutional review board’s approval was taken to proceed with engaging the humans. The sample size was calculated and patient recruitment was commenced. Two groups were made. Group A received laser application on joint points including patellofemoral joint and group B received treatment on acupuncture points of the knee joint. LLLT was applied as per world association of laser therapy (WALT) dosage recommendation using three times a week for four weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, timed-up and go test (TUG) and Wester Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used as parameters for outcome assessment. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0. Various statistical tests were employed to investigate the outcomes between the two groups. There was a strong, positive correlation between WOMAC and VAS scale with TUG as r=0.392*, r=0.394* at the time of baseline, r=.426 and r=.718** and r=.571 at the time of last follow-up. Statistical analysis revealed that both groups improved from baseline till the last treatment as the SD of TUG decreasing from 4.44 to 3.88 with p values <0.001, WOMAC SD from 16.30 to 12. 22 with p values of <0.001 and VAS from 16.97 to 15.38 with p value of <0. 001.This investigation resolutely confirmed the effectiveness of LLLT on newest points in KOA. This investigation offers clinicians and researchers an avenue to utilize the LLLT in clinical practice with a disciplined protocol and be also used rigorously for further investigations by researchers.