Laser Therapy Research for Knee Pain

British Medical Journal. 2019 Oct 28;9(10):e031142.

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials

Martin Bjørn Stausholm ¹, Ingvill Fjell Naterstad ², Jon Joensen ², Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins ³, Humaira Sæbø ², Hans Lund ⁴, Kjartan Vibe Fersum ², Jan Magnus Bjordal ²

• The authors reviewed 22 randomized placebo-controlled trials involving participants with knee arthritis. Pain was significantly reduced by LLLT (low level laser therapy) compared with placebo at the end of therapy (and during follow-ups 2-12 weeks after the end of therapy. No adverse events were reported.

Physiotherapy. 2022 Mar;114:85-95.

Effects of low-level and high-intensity laser therapy as adjunctive to rehabilitation exercise on pain, stiffness, and function in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mohd Azzuan Ahmad ¹, Mohamad Shariff A Hamid ², Ashril Yusof ³

• Results: Of the 10 retrieved studies, six investigated LLLT(Low Level Laser Therapy), three on HILT (High Intensity Laser Therapy), and one evaluated both. All the studies reviewed found laser therapy to be effective in reducing KOA (knee osteoarthritis) symptoms over placebo. The meta-analysis also showed significant improvements in knee pain, stiffness, and function for the HILT.
• Conclusion: Both LLLT and HILT are beneficial as adjuncts to rehabilitation exercise in the management of KOA. Based on an indirect comparison, the HILT seems to have higher efficacy in reducing knee pain and stiffness, and in increasing function.

Pain Research and Management Journal. 2016;2016:9163618

Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser Therapy for Reduction of Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis

Anna Angelova ¹, Elena M Ilieva ¹

• 72 patients (aged between 39 and 83 years) with osteoarthritis of the knee were included in the study. They were randomized in two groups: receiving seven treatments of Laser Therapy or Sham Placebo Light. 
• Pain levels decreased significantly in the therapeutic group after seven days of treatment.

Lasers in Medical Science. 2019 Apr;34(3):505-516

Efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy in comparison with conventional physiotherapy and exercise therapy on pain and function of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial with 12-week follow up

Ahmad Nazari ¹, Azar Moezy ², Parisa Nejati ¹, Ali Mazaherinezhad ¹ .

• Ninety-three patients (aged between 50 and 75 years) with proved KOA were included and randomly allocated into three groups, and received 12 sessions of HILT, CPT, or ET. HILT was significantly better than the others after follow-up, particularly more effective on the stiffness scale.