Article

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of low-level laser therapy in combination
with neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the muscle architecture and
functional capacity of elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: A
randomized, evaluator-blinded clinical trial with sequential allocation of
patients to three different treatment groups.
SETTING: Exercise Research
Laboratory. SUBJECTS: A total of 45 elderly females with knee osteoarthritis, 2-4
osteoarthritis degrees, aged 66-75 years. INTERVENTION: Participants were
randomized into one of the following three intervention groups: electrical
stimulation group (18-32 minutes of pulsed current, stimulation frequency of 80
Hz, pulse duration of 200 mus and stimulation intensity fixed near the maximal
tolerated), laser group (low-level laser therapy dose of 4-6 J per point, six
points at the knee joint) or combined group (electrical stimulation and low-level
laser therapy). All groups underwent a four-week control period (without
intervention) followed by an eight-week intervention period. MAIN MEASURES: The
muscle thickness, pennation angle and fascicle length were assessed by
ultrasonography, and the functional capacity was assessed using the 6-minute walk
test and the Timed Up and Go Test. RESULTS: After intervention, only the
electrical stimulation and combined groups exhibited significant increases in the
muscle thickness (27%-29%) and pennation angle (24%-34%) values. The three groups
exhibited increased performance on the walk test (5%-9%). However, no significant
differences in terms of functional improvements were observed between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation reduced the deleterious effects
of osteoarthritis on the quadriceps structure. Low-level laser therapy did not
potentiate the effects of electrical stimulation on the evaluated parameters.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS