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Level of pain, muscle strength and posture: effects of PBM on an exercise program in women with knee osteoarthritis – a randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise program associated to photobiomodulation (PBM) on pain, postural changes, functionally, and muscular strength in women, one of the risk factors, with knee osteoarthritis (OA). A randomized controlled trial, with a blinded assessor and intention-to-treat analysis and placebo control. Sixty-two participants with knee OA (with confirmed radiological diagnosis) were evaluated for this study. However, 34 were considered eligible and were randomized into two groups: EPPG – exercise and PBM placebo group (n = 17) and EPAG – exercise and PBM active group (n = 16), but one participant was excluded of EPAG. The exercise program and PBM (808 nm, 100 mW/point, 4 J/point, 56 J total, 91 J/cm2) were realized twice a week, during 8 weeks. West Ontario and the McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne questionnaires, 1-repetition maximum test (1-RM) and posture evaluation software (SAPO) were used to analyze the effects of the therapies. In intragroup analysis, a significant improvement in pain WOMAC (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001), function (p < 0.001), Lequesne (p < 0.001), and 1-RM (all muscle groups) (p < 0.001) were observed. In this study, the exercise program improved pain, function, and muscle strength of all the participants. However, PBM, in the parameters used, did not optimize the effects of the exercise program in women with knee OA.

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Consent for publication

All volunteers with knee OA signed the consent for publication.

Funding

We would also like to thank the support of the funding agency: São Paulo Research Foundation.

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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, Bruna Arcaim Silva, Mayra Cavenague de Souza, Marcela Regina de Camargo & Ana Claudia Muniz Renno

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), São Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Julia Risso Parisi

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  1. Patricia Gabrielli Vassão
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  2. Bruna Arcaim Silva
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  6. Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
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Correspondence to Patricia Gabrielli Vassão.

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This study was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (2016/18049–4).

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Vassão, P.G., Silva, B.A., de Souza, M.C. et al. Level of pain, muscle strength and posture: effects of PBM on an exercise program in women with knee osteoarthritis – a randomized controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1967–1974 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-020-02989-1

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