Authors
Abstract
Background and objective: Osteoarthrosis is one of the most common joint disorders at the old age. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of action potential simulation with low-level LASER in reducing pain and improving function of these patients. Materials and methods: This double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in Zahedan in 2009. After taking written voluntary informed consent, 30 women with knee osteoarthrosis were randomly assigned to two equal groups through a lottery. In LASER group, a low-level Ga-As LASER was applied with a dosage of 9 J/cm2 for 6 minutes, and in Action Potential Simulation group, APS was applied with an intensity of 1 mA for 16 minutes. A 16-session treatment program was performed for both groups. Before and after intervention, we measured pain through Visual Analogue Scale, function with Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and range of knee flexion with goniometer, physical function with WOMAC, muscle atrophy and swelling with tape measure. Paired and independent t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: Knee pain decreased from 7.75±1.58 to 5.37±1.5 in LASER group and from 7.5±1.19 to 6.75±1.38 in APS group and total score of WOMAC decreased from 42±6.54 to 39.12±6.53 in LASER group and from 43.37±11.21 to 39.62±8.86 in APS group (p
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