Abstract
Background
Laser acupuncture is one of the complementary modalities used for treating osteoarthritis. The study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of laser acupuncture in the treatment of grade 2 knee osteoarthritis.
Patients and methods
Forty patients having bilateral knee osteoarthritis were divided into two groups (20 patients in each group). The patients of the first group were subjected to 12 laser sessions at the following acupoints (St 35, St36, Sp9, Sp10 and Gb 34). During each session, laser of 90 mw was directed to each acupoint for 1 min giving energy of 5.4 joules. Energy of 21.6 joules was directed to ashi points. The laser had a wavelength of 808 nm, beam diameter 2 mm and was applied with a continuous wave. The cases of the second group were used as controls. Each patient is exposed to sham laser (laser probe is directed to the same acupoints while the device is off).
Results
The 20 patients receiving laser showed significant improvement in pain on (VAS), increase in serum beta-endorphin and a decrease in substance P more than those exposed to sham laser.
Conclusions
Laser acupuncture is a safe and cheap tool for management of grade 2 knee osteoarthritis.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
Competing interests: The funding organization(s) played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the report for publication.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Review
- The effect of celery (Apium graveolens L.) on fertility: A systematic review
- Preclinical Studies
- Walnut leaf extract acts as a fertility agent in male Wistar albino rats – A search for herbal male fertility enhancer
- Antidiabetic and in vitro antioxidant effects of hydromethanol extract of Paullinia pinnata root bark in alloxan-induced diabetic rat
- Emblica officinalis – Anti-obesity activity
- The beneficial effects of pumpkin extract on atherogenic lipid, insulin resistance and oxidative stress status in high-fat diet-induced obese rats
- Comparison of anticancer effect of Pleurotus ostreatus extract with doxorubicin hydrochloride alone and plus thermotherapy on erythroleukemia cell line
- Role of caftaric acid in lead-associated nephrotoxicity in rats via antidiuretic, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activities
- Clinical Studies
- Effect of mindfulness meditation on short-term weight loss and eating behaviors in overweight and obese adults: A randomized controlled trial
- Evaluation of serum beta-endorphin and substance P in knee osteoarthritis patients treated by laser acupuncture
- Efficacy of Tamarindus indicus, Melia azadirach and Santalum album in syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge: A single-blind randomised controlled trial
- Complementary and alternative medicine usage and its determinant factors among Iranian infertile couples
- Short Communication
- The effect of electro-acupuncture on pro-oxidant antioxidant balance values in overweight and obese subjects: a randomized controlled trial study