Low Level Laser in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tiur Farida*, Nury Nusdwinuringtyas*, Satrio Tjondro*,,Yoga Iwanoff Kasjmir**, ,Sumedi Sudarsono,***

*Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia

** Internal Medicine Department, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia

*** YARSI Medical School, Jakarta, Indonesia

Objective : To evaluate the influence of low level LASER therapy, isometric hand strengthening and routine medications in patient with hand rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to reduce pain and increase the range of motion of the metacarpophalanges (MCP)

Design : Pre and post treatment

Setting : Medical Rehabilitation policlinic, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta

Participants : Twenty five female patients with hand rheumatoid arthritis in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Six subjects did not meet the inclusion criteria, two subjects dropped out from the study

Intervention : Between July and November 2004, seventeen female patients with hand rheumatoid arthritis, who were classified in the inclusion criteria were given low level LASER therapy, isometric hand strengthening exercise and routine medications for four weeks.

Results : After four weeks of intervention there was significant decrease on MCP joint pain, marked by decrease in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (p<0,001)>

Conclusion : Low level LASER therapy combine with isometric hand strengthening exercise can reduce pain and increase the MCP range of motions in patients with hand rheumatoid arthritis

Keyword : RA hand – LASER therapy – Visual analog scale – isometric hand strengthening exercise – range of joint motion