RESUMO
This study evaluated the synergistic effects of ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with or without therapeutic exercises (TE) in women with knee osteoarthritis. Forty-two Caucasian women with knee osteoarthritis were allocated into three groups: (1) the placebo group who did not perform TE, but the prototype without emitting light or ultrasonic waves was applied, (2) the US + LLLT group in which only the prototype was applied and (3) the TE + US + LLLT group that performed TE before the prototype was applied. However, 35 women completed the full clinical trial. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) using an algometer and functional performance during the sit-to-stand test were carried out. The average PPT levels increased for US + LLLT (41 ± 9 to 54 ± 15 N, p < 0.01) and TE + US + LLLT (32 ± 8 to 45 ± 9 N, p < 0.01) groups. The number of sit-to-stands was significantly higher for all groups. However, the change between pre-treatment and post-treatment (delta value) was greater for the US + LLLT (4 ± 1) and TE + US + LLLT groups (5 ± 1) than for the placebo group (2 ± 1) with a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.05). This study showed reduced pain and increased physical functionality after 3 months of US + LLLT with and without TE.
Assuntos
Artralgia/radioterapia , Articulação do Joelho/efeitos da radiação , Terapia com Luz de Baixa Intensidade , Osteoartrite do Joelho/radioterapia , Terapia por Ultrassom , Idoso , Artralgia/diagnóstico , Artralgia/fisiopatologia , Brasil , Terapia Combinada , Terapia por Exercício , Feminino , Humanos , Articulação do Joelho/diagnóstico por imagem , Articulação do Joelho/fisiopatologia , Terapia com Luz de Baixa Intensidade/efeitos adversos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Osteoartrite do Joelho/diagnóstico , Osteoartrite do Joelho/fisiopatologia , Medição da Dor , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Terapia por Ultrassom/efeitos adversosRESUMO
Patients with pain avoid movements, leading to a gradual impairment of their physical condition and functionality. In this context, the use of ultrasound (US) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) show promising results for nonpharmacological and noninvasive treatment. The aim of this study was evaluated the synergistic effects of the US and the LLLT (new prototype) with or without therapeutic exercises (TE) on pain and grip strength in women with hand osteoarthritis. Forty-five women with hand osteoarthritis, aged 60 to 80 years, were randomly assigned to one of three groups, but 43 women successfully completed the full study. The three groups were as follows: (i) the placebo group which did not perform TE, but the prototype without emitting electromagnetic or mechanical waves was applied (n = 11); (ii) the US + LLLT group which carried out only the prototype (n = 13); and (iii) the TE + US + LLLT group which performed TE before the prototype is applied (n = 13). The parameters of US were frequency 1 MHz; 1.0 W/cm(2) intensity, pulsed mode 1:1 (duty cycle 50%). Regarding laser, the output power of the each laser was fixed at 100 mW leading to an energy value of 18 J per laser. Five points were irradiated per hand, during 3 min per point and 15 min per session. The prototype was applied after therapeutic exercises. The treatments are done once a week for 3 months. Grip strength and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were measured. Grip strength did not differ significantly for any of the groups (p ≥ 0.05). The average PPT between baseline and 3 months shows significant decrease of the pain sensitivity for both the US + LLLT group (∆ = 30 ± 19 N, pË0.001) and the TE + US + LLLT group (∆ = 32 ± 13 N, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in average PPT for placebo group (∆ = -0.3 ± 9 N). There was no placebo effect. The new prototype that combines US and LLLT reduced pain in women with hand osteoarthritis.