Riassunto dello studio

60 children with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis were randomized to receive 3 months of exercise therapy with additional low-energy laser therapy (n=30) or without any additional treatment (n=30). Outcomes of interest included pain intensity on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), quadriceps muscle torque, extent of fatigue (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale [PedsQL-MFS]), and functional status (Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire [CHAQ]). Outcomes were assessed upon completion of the 3 month treatment program, and 6 months post-treatment. Results revealed that the addition of low-energy laser therapy to exercise significantly improved VAS pain scores, fatigue scores, and functional status scores vs. exercise alone. No differences in quadriceps muscle torque were observed.