High-intensity laser versus standard physical therapy for knee osteoarthritis

Rehabilitation of Knee Osteoarthritis by High Intensity Laser Therapy vs Classical Modalities

This trial will try high-intensity laser therapy plus exercises against standard physical therapy plus exercises in adults aged 40–75 with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis to see which reduces pain and improves knee function.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 30 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Erbil Polytechnic University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Erbil, Erbil Governorate)
• Trial ID: NCT07551245 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a randomized comparative trial enrolling 100 adults with ACR-confirmed knee osteoarthritis at rehabilitation centers in Erbil, Iraq. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either high-intensity laser therapy combined with therapeutic exercise or conventional physical therapy modalities combined with the same exercise program. The primary outcome is pain intensity at four weeks measured by WOMAC/VAS, with additional assessments of joint function, MRI structural changes, and laboratory markers of inflammation and cartilage health over follow-up. Safety and adverse events related to the interventions will also be recorded.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 40–75 years old with clinical and radiographic knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 1–3) who can attend treatment sessions and provide informed consent are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with severe (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4) knee OA, recent knee surgery, active infection, photosensitivity, epilepsy, active malignancy, or other contraindications to laser therapy are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, high-intensity laser therapy could provide faster pain relief and better knee function than conventional modalities, potentially reducing disability and reliance on medications.

How similar studies have performed: Low-level laser therapy has produced mixed results in knee OA and high-intensity laser therapy is less studied but has shown promising results in small, limited trials.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of Knee Osteoarthritis: Patients must have a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of knee OA according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, including evidence of joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and other degenerative changes observed on X-rays or MRI.

Age: Adults aged between 40 and 75 years. Willingness to Participate: Participants must provide informed consent and be willing to adhere to the study protocol, including attending all treatment sessions and follow-up assessments.

Kellgren-Lawrence Grade: Patients with knee OA grades 1-3 (mild to moderate OA).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to Laser Therapy:

Active malignancy History of epilepsy Photosensitivity disorders Active infection in the treatment area

Surgical History:

Patients who have undergone knee surgery within the past 6 months Scheduled surgery during the study period

Advanced Disease:

Kellgren-Lawrence Grade 4 (severe OA) where surgical intervention is indicated

Pregnancy or Lactation:

Pregnant or lactating women

Severe Comorbidities:

Uncontrolled diabetes Severe cardiovascular disease Neurological disorders that might interfere with participation or affect treatment outcomes

Where this trial is running

Erbil, Erbil Governorate

• Aylan Center — Erbil, Erbil Governorate, Iraq (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mahdi Qadir, PhD

Conditions Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis; LASER; knee OA; classical modalities