Arthritis Clinical Trials

Physical performance as a determinant of disability in osteoarthritis (OA) has been investigated extensively, but research has focused primarily on the effect that the decrease in muscle strength has on the functionality in patients with OA. However, the reduced range of motion in affected joints is also an important risk factor for the occurrence of locomotor disability and other developing disability in patients with OA.

Studies using stretching exercises are scarce in the Reid & Mc Nair (2010) specifically examined the range of motion can be improved in subjects with knee osteoarthritis, although this study did only stretching the hamstrings. The results indicate that there is immediate benefits of stretching in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee joint, providing evidence for the long term development of stretching programs for this population.

In the literature are observed inconsistent results regarding the benefits of laser treatment in improving pain and function in individuals with knee OA. Also there are few studies that specify which dosage and frequency of laser must be used.

In view of the increasing need to support the role of physiotherapy in evidence-based practice, this study is justified by the need to test the effectiveness of stretching exercises and elucidate the effectiveness of low intensity laser therapy in patients with knee OA.