Arthritis-Rheumatoid Cold Laser Clinical Studies
The following is a summary of some of the clinical studies that were conducted using a cold laser to treat Arthritis-Rheumatoid. These studies are presented here to demonstrate the wide uses of cold lasers in the treatment of different medical conditions.
50 year old female patient diagnosed as having Class 3 RA inflammatory phase of steady development. Probes used in treatments were 820nm (50mW) and 31 cluster probe with the 820nm probe being administered on each interphalangeal joint (30 seconds per point) followed by the cluster (one minute) over the whole hand. The pulsing frequency was 20 Hz and administration of treatment three times per week. The total number of treatments was 12 over a one month period.
You can see the improvement in the treatment of the condition and the third picture shows the progress at 13 treatments. After 6 months follow up it was found the initial inflammation was beginning to creep back, but the overall condition was much improved in comparison with the original status of the patient with no LLLT treatment.
Beneficial Effects of Laser Therapy in the Early Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis Onset
Contantin Ailioaie1, Laura Marinela Lupusoru-Ailioaie2 1Medical Office for Laser Therapy, 1 Bistrita, B10-2, 6600-Iassy, Romania, 2AI.I. Cuza University, Dept. of Medical Physics, Iassy, Romania
LLLT Original Articles, Laser therapy Volume. 11-2, pg.79
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of laser therapy in pain reduction and/or recovery of patients at the onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), compared with the traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Fifty-nine patients with RA of 6-12 months duration were included in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (21 patients) received laser therapy; Group 2 (18 patients) was submitted to placebo laser therapy and NSAIDs medication; Group 3 (20 patients) was treated only with NSAIDs. Physical therapy was instituted in all three groups. GaAIAs diode laser of 830 nm wavelength and 200mW maximum output power was used. Group 1 received laser therapy once each day, eight days per month, for a total of 32 treatments during a four-month period. The parameters used were 2-4 J/cm2 energy density, and a frequency of 5 Hz or 10 Hz depending on the number and severity of pain in the affected joints. Placebo laser treatment was given to group 2. the functional activity score, the acute pain phase reactants (ESR and C-reactive protein), T-lymphocytes and NK (natural killer) â?? cells were estimated. Synovial biopsies and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the synovial membrane were performed as well. The analysis of the clinical and biological parameters at the end of treatment showed a statistically significant decrease of duration of morning stiffness, of pain at rest and during movements, and improved acute phase reactants.
The overall efficacy rate in these studies was 86% in the first group, 50% in the laser placebo group and 40% in the NSAIDs-treated third group. After four months of treatment, our investigations showed that 830 nm infrared laser therapy promoted the restoration of function, relieving pain and limited the complications of RA.