Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for the Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis.

Launched by DAVID MOSS · Dec 30, 2020

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on people with hand osteoarthritis, a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints of the hands. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to receive either the real laser treatment or a placebo (sham) treatment for six weeks. During this time, they will visit the clinic weekly to rate their pain and assess how well they can use their hands. After the treatment period, there will be a follow-up visit six weeks later to evaluate their pain and hand function again.

To participate, individuals must be at least 18 years old and receive care at Nellis Air Force Base. They should have hand pain along with specific signs of osteoarthritis, such as joint enlargement or deformities in certain joints. However, people with other types of arthritis, recent surgeries, or fractures in the hand are not eligible. This study is important because it may help determine if LLLT can effectively relieve pain and improve function for those suffering from hand osteoarthritis.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • \*\*Patients must be able to get care at Nellis Air Force Base (a military installation) in order to participate in this study\*\*
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male and Female Active Duty and DoD Beneficiaries aged 18 years or older
• • Hand pain, aching, or stiffness
• And at least 3 of the 4 following features:
• • Hard tissue enlargement of 2 or more of 10 selected joints
• • Hard tissue enlargement of 2 or more distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints
• • Fewer than 3 swollen metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints
• • Deformity of at least 1 of 10 selected joints
• • (The 10 selected joints are the first carpometacarpal (CMC), second and third proximal interphalangeal (PIP), second and third DIP joints of both hands.)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Known diagnosis of another type of arthritis: rheumatoid, psoriatic, crystalline, inflammatory bowel associated arthritis
• • History of treatment with LLLT in the past 12 weeks Surgery within the past 6 weeks
• • Hand fracture within the past 6 weeks
• • Pregnancy