Effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy Combined With Exercise in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial was to determine whether high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) combined with exercise improves pain, physical function, and muscle strength in people with knee osteoarthritis.

The main questions the study aimed to answer were:

* Did HILT combined with exercise lower pain more than sham laser combined with exercise?
* Did HILT combined with exercise improve physical function more than sham laser combined with exercise?
* Did HILT combined with exercise improve knee extensor muscle strength more than sham laser combined with exercise?

Researchers compared HILT plus exercise with sham laser plus exercise to determine whether HILT provided additional benefits beyond those achieved with exercise alone.

Participants:

* Received either HILT or sham laser treatment for four weeks.
* Participated in a standardized exercise program.
* Completed assessments of pain, physical function, and muscle strength before and after treatment.

Conditions

• Osteoarthritic Knee Pain
• Osteo Arthritis of the Knee
• Osteoarthitis
• Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knee
• Osteoarthritis (Knee)
• Osteoarthritis in the Knee

Interventions

DEVICE

High Intensity Laser Therapy

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) was delivered using an MLS laser device (MPHI D, ASA Laser, Italy), which combines synchronized 808 nm and 905 nm wavelengths. Treatment was applied to four periarticular knee regions, including the medial and lateral patellar borders, the suprapatellar region, and the medial tibiofemoral joint line. Participants received 10 treatment sessions over four weeks. HILT was administered in combination with a standardized exercise program.

DEVICE

Sham Laser

Sham laser treatment was delivered using the same laser device, treatment schedule, and application sites as the active intervention. Subtherapeutic parameters were used to mimic the treatment procedure while minimizing biological effects and maintaining participant blinding. Participants received 10 treatment sessions over four weeks in combination with the same standardized exercise program used in the experimental group.

OTHER

Exercise

The exercise program was performed during each treatment session and included strengthening, flexibility, and balance exercises targeting the lower extremities. Exercises included stationary cycling, hamstring and gastrocnemius stretching, straight-leg raises, knee extensions, heel raises, step-ups, and single-leg balance activities. The program was standardized for both study groups and was delivered over 10 sessions during a four-week period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educacion

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ivan Patricio Silva-Satlov, Magister · Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

45 Years

Max Age

77 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-29

Primary Completion

2025-08-26

Completion

2025-08-26

Countries

• Chile

Study Locations