Laser acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized controlled study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pain Management
• Acupuncture Research

Background:

• Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disease causing pain and functional limitation.
• Current treatments for KOA aim to manage pain, improve function, and enhance quality of life.
• Laser acupuncture presents a potential non-invasive therapeutic option for KOA management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of laser acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
• To determine the minimum effective dose of laser acupuncture for KOA.
• To compare laser acupuncture with placebo (sham) treatment for clinical-functional outcomes and quality of life in KOA patients.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving patients with grade 2 and 3 primary KOA.
• Intervention group received 904-nm low-level laser irradiation on the Sp9 acupuncture point; control group received sham laser therapy.
• Treatment administered 5 days/week for 2 weeks, with outcome assessments at baseline, 2 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant improvements in pain (PVAS), walking time (50 foot w), and knee circumference (KC) were observed in the laser acupuncture group.
• The laser acupuncture group showed a statistically significant superiority in reducing knee circumference compared to the sham group at 2 weeks (p = 0.005).
• Improvements in pain and WOMAC scores were noted in both groups, but laser acupuncture's advantage was primarily in reducing swelling.

Conclusions:

• Laser acupuncture demonstrated effectiveness in reducing periarticular swelling in knee osteoarthritis when compared to placebo laser treatment.
• While some improvements in pain and function were observed, the primary significant benefit over placebo was in reducing swelling.
• The study suggests a specific role for laser acupuncture in managing swelling associated with knee osteoarthritis.