[Clinical observation on acupoint irradiation with combined laser or red light on patients with knee osteoarthritis of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of combined laser on patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type.

METHODS

Forty-one cases with knee OA of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type were randomly divided into a combined laser group (n = 22) and a red light group (n = 19), with combined laser and red light irradiation on Dubi (ST 35) and Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), respectively. They were treated for 6 weeks. The scores of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities' Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC VA3. 1) were used for assessment of therapeutic effects.

RESULTS

After treatment for 2 weeks and 6 weeks, the WOMAC scores significantly decreased in the two groups as compared with those before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001). The mean improvement rate of WOMAC scores in the combined laser group was better than those in the red light group.

CONCLUSION

Combined laser irradiation can improve the pain, stiffness and functional limitation of patients with knee OA of yang deficiency and cold coagulation type.