Comparison of high-intensity laser therapy and combination of tens and ultrasound treatment in the patients with knee osteoarthritis

Comparison of High-Intensity Laser Therapy and Combination of TENS and Ultrasound Treatment in the Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Background: The aim of the study was to compare the effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy and combination of TENS and Ultrasound treatment on the pain and functionality in the patients with knee osteoarthritis. Material and methods. The randomized study included 48 patients (33 women and 15 men, aged 25-65 years, mean age 54.25) divided into two groups of 24 patients who diagnosed as 'Primary Knee Osteoarthritis' according to the ACR criteria and evaluated as Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2-3 radiologically. The study was designed as a prospective, randomized, single blind study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups and received 10 treatment sessions of combination of Hot pack+TENS+US and exercise, Hot pack+HILT and exercise over a period of 2 consecutive weeks. The outcomes measured were pain level measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and knee function measured by Western Ontario and Mc Master Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at the end of the therapy and 4 weeks later. Results. At the end of the 2-week intervention, participants in the HILT group showed a significantly greater decrease in pain than participants in the TENS+US therapy group. Statistically significant differences in change in pain and functionality (VAS and WOMAC scores) were observed after 10 treatment sessions for participants in the HILT group compared with participants in the TENS+US therapy group. Conclusion. The results showed that HILT and TENS+US combined with exercise were effective treatment modalities in decreasing the VAS and WOMAC scores at the end of the therapy and 4 weeks later. HILT combined with exercises was more effective than TENS+US combined with exercise. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, Hiltherapy, high intensity laser therapy, TENS, ultrasound