Functional Performance, Pain and Strength in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis after Photobiomodulation on Femoral Quadriceps Muscles. Study Protocol

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent rheumatic diseases in the elderly and is associated with pain, stiffness, deformity and progressive loss of function. Physical therapy through kinesiotherapy, proprioceptive exercises and physical agents can improve symptoms related to OA. Objective: The objective of the present clinical trial was to assess the functional performance, pain and muscular strength in patients with knee OA after phototherapy in the quadriceps femoral muscle. Design: The study was a two-armed controlled randomized clinical trial. Setting: The setting for this trial will be a physiotherapy clinic. Participants: The study participants will be those who seek physiotherapy care unit spontaneously after receiving a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis by a medical specialist. Intervention: Participants performed a rehabilitation protocol that consisted of sensorimotor training and muscle strengthening and stretching exercises, for 60 min, three times a week for 12 weeks. In addition to intervention with exercises, the Phototherapy group will receive phototherapeutic applications on the quadriceps femoral muscle while the placebo group will receive sham phototherapy application. Measurements: All patients will be assessed pre-and post-treatment with SF-36 (Short Form 36), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index), the Berg balance scale, VAS (Visual Analogue Scale), ROM (range of motion) and muscle strength assessment. Conclusion: If phototherapy is beneficial, the results of the study will help in the discussion of treatment guidelines for patients with knee OA focused on functional performance and analgesia combined to exercises and phototherapy. It may also help therapists to make clinical decisions based on high-quality studies. Keywords: Phototherapy; Osteoarthritis; Exercise; Physiotherapy; Photobiostimulatio