Investigation the effectiveness of low-dose laser treatment in patellofemoral pain syndrome-randomized controlled study

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of low-dose laser therapy (LDLT) on pain, disability, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Materials and Methods: Forty patients, 31 females and 9 males, were randomized into 2 groups of 20 people each, as laser group (LG) and control group (CG), by simple matching method. Knee extension and hip abduction muscle strength, hamstring, and iliotibial band (ITB) flexibility measurements were repeated at pretreatment and posttreatment. Patients' resting and activity pain levels are measured by visual analog scale (VAS), mental and physical disability levels are measured by pain disability index (PDI) and QoL is assessed by short form 36 (SF-36) at the pretreatment, posttreatment and 8th week. LG received hot pack, ultrasound (US), exercise, and LDLT. CG received same treatment but US and LDLT is applied placebo. LDLT is applied 10 sessions: 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Results: The mean age of the LG and CG was 40±9.8 and 44±6 years, respectively. In LG, resting and activity VAS values showed improvement at posttreatment and 8th week. In the CG, while there was an improvement in activity and resting in VAS values at posttreatment, this decrease continued only in activity at the 8th week. In SF-36 evaluation, intragroup comparison of physical values; significant improvement was observed at posttreatment and at the 8th week in LG. In the intragroup comparison of PDI values, improvement was observed in both groups at the 8th week. Conclusion: We recommend the use of LDLT in the treatment of PFPS for longerterm pain control and improvement in QoL. © Peter Lang GmbH. Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften Berlin 2021. All rights reserved