Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cardiovascular-Respiratory Disorders and Geriatrics, Laser Applications in Physical Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Faculty of Physical Therapy, Internal Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Feb;37(1):499-504. doi: 10.1007/s10103-021-03287-0. Epub 2021 Mar 19.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive common autoimmune disorder and is one of the most functional limiting diseases in elderly. Until recently, its treatment is mainly based on physical locations and meetings while being face to face. However, laser acupuncture tele-therapy approaches can significantly provide the patient with safety during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as changing the disorder's prognosis. Sixty patients were assigned randomly into 2 groups with 1:1 ratio. Patients in group A are treated remotely by laser acupuncture in addition to methotrexate and a tele-rehabilitation program in the form of aerobic exercise training. Patients in group B are treated by methotrexate and a tele-rehabilitation program in the form of aerobic exercise. There was a statistically significant difference in health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) pre- and post-treatment in group A (p < 0.05). The C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) inflammatory markers as well as the malondialdehyde (MDA) oxidative marker showed a significant reduction pre- and post-treatment in group A (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant increase in the adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) antioxidant marker pre- and post-treatment in group A (p < 0.05). The comparison between groups A and B showed a statistically significant post-treatment difference in RAQoL, CRP, IL-6, ATP, and MDA in group A than group B. Considering the significant improvement that was found in the laser acupuncture group, it can be concluded that the use of laser acupuncture as adjunctive was effective in the treatment of elderly patients with RA. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04758689.
类风湿关节炎（RA）是一种进行性常见的自身免疫性疾病，也是老年人中最常见的功能受限疾病之一。直到最近，其治疗主要基于面对面的身体位置和会议。然而，激光针灸远程治疗方法可以在 COVID-19 大流行期间为患者提供显著的安全性，并改变疾病的预后。将 60 名患者随机分为两组，每组 1:1 比例。组 A 的患者除接受甲氨蝶呤和以有氧运动训练形式的远程康复计划外，还接受激光针灸远程治疗。组 B 的患者仅接受甲氨蝶呤和以有氧运动训练形式的远程康复计划。组 A 在治疗前后的健康评估问卷（HAQ）有统计学差异（p<0.05）。C 反应蛋白（CRP）和白细胞介素-6（IL-6）炎症标志物以及丙二醛（MDA）氧化标志物在组 A 中治疗前后均显著降低（p<0.05）。此外，组 A 在治疗前后的三磷酸腺苷（ATP）抗氧化标志物均显著增加（p<0.05）。组 A 和组 B 之间的比较显示，组 A 的 RAQoL、CRP、IL-6、ATP 和 MDA 在治疗后有统计学差异。考虑到在激光针灸组中发现的显著改善，可以得出结论，激光针灸作为辅助治疗对老年 RA 患者的治疗有效。ClinicalTrials.gov 标识符：NCT04758689。
