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Photobiomodulation via a cluster device associated with a physical exercise program in the level of pain and muscle strength in middle-aged and older women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that leads to pain and functional incapacity. The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of the incorporation of photobiomodulation (PBM) (via cluster) into a physical exercise program on the level of pain, lower limb muscle strength, and physical capacity, in patients with knee OA. Sixty-two female volunteers with a diagnosis of knee OA were distributed in 4 groups: exercise associated with placebo PBM group, exercise associated with active PBM group, active PBM group, and placebo PBM group. Sixteen sessions of lower limb strength exercises and PBM via cluster (808 nm, 100 mW, 7 points each side, 56 J total) were performed. The level of pain, physical capacity, and lower limb muscle strength were evaluated with the use of the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), 6-min walking test (6-MWT) and timed up and go (TUG), and maximal voluntary isometric torque (MVIT) before and after the interventions. Both groups presented a significant decrease in the level of pain when compared with the placebo-treated women. Furthermore, the 6-MWT showed that the trained groups (with or without PBM) demonstrated higher values in the distance walked comparing pre and post-treatment values. The same behavior was found for the MVIT load before and after intervention. TUG was higher for all the treated with exercise groups comparing the pre and post-treatment values. Physical exercise and PBM showed analgesic effects. However, PBM did not have any extra effect along with the effects of exercise in improving the distance walked, the TUG, and the muscle strength.

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Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo – 2016/08503-0.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biosciences, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Silva Jardim, 136, Santos, SP, 11015-020, Brazil

    Patricia Gabrielli Vassão, Mayra Cavenague de Souza, Bruna Arcaim Silva, Rheguel Grillo Junqueira, Marcela Regina de Camargo & Ana Claudia Renno

  2. Department of Human Movement Science, Federal University of São Paulo, Campus Baixada Santista, Rua Silva Jardim, 136, Santos, SP, 11015-020, Brazil

    Victor Zuniga Dourado & Helga Tatiana Tucci

Authors
  1. Patricia Gabrielli Vassão
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  2. Mayra Cavenague de Souza
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Correspondence to Patricia Gabrielli Vassão.

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All procedures were approved by the Ethics Committee of University (Approval Number 1368478) and registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov, RBR-7t6nzr.

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Vassão, P.G., de Souza, M.C., Silva, B.A. et al. Photobiomodulation via a cluster device associated with a physical exercise program in the level of pain and muscle strength in middle-aged and older women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci 35, 139–148 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02807-3

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