Resumo do estudo

90 patients with knee osteoarthritis were randomized and analyzed in a 1:1 ratio to high-intensity laser therapy and exercise therapy (HILT+ET) or low-level laser therapy and exercise (LLLT+ET). Participants received 10 treatment sessions over 2 weeks in addition to a structured exercise program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), week 2 (T2), and week 6 (T3). Outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total and subscales, femoral cartilage thickness (FCT) at lateral, intercondylar, and medial condyles, and knee flexion range of motion (ROM). Overall, the WOMAC total scores were significantly lower in the HILT+ET group at week 2 and week 6. VAS scores at week 6 were significantly lower in the HILT+ET group compared with LLLT+ET, and knee flexion ROM at week 2 and week 6 favoured HILT. No adverse effects were reported.