Low-level laser therapy plus home exercise for moderate knee osteoarthritis and nearby muscle loss
Official title: Investigation of Sarcopenia in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis and the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Sonographically Measured Femoral Cartilage and Quadriceps Thickness, Clinical Outcomes, and Regional Sarcopenia
Run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital · NCT07078877 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding low-level laser therapy to a home exercise program helps people over 50 with moderate (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2–3) knee osteoarthritis improve pain, cartilage thickness, and nearby muscle loss.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 62 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Ankara Etlik City Hospital Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Ankara, YENIMAHALLE) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 14, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 2026 |
| Study ends | July 2026 |
| Registry record updated | September 16, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07078877 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults over 50 with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (KL grade 2–3) who have not had recent knee surgery, intra-articular injections within 3 months, or physical therapy in the past year, and who do not have contraindications such as a pacemaker, active malignancy, high cardiac risk, genetic bone/joint disease, or BMI > 35 kg/m².
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with advanced (KL grade 4) osteoarthritis, recent knee surgery or injections, active cancer, high cardiac risk, pacemakers, BMI > 35 kg/m², or those already receiving supervised physical therapy are unlikely to receive benefit from this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This single-center, prospective randomized controlled study in Ankara assigns people with grade 2–3 knee osteoarthritis to a home-based exercise program with or without adjunct low-level laser therapy (LLLT) delivered according to WALT recommendations over five sessions. Both arms follow the same exercise regimen (range of motion, stretching, strengthening, aerobic exercises) and are evaluated at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months post-treatment using clinical outcomes including the WOMAC pain subscale, femoral cartilage thickness, and measures of regional sarcopenia. Sample size was calculated from prior WOMAC pain data to provide 95% power, targeting at least 29 participants per group, and randomization is performed by order of admission. Written informed consent is obtained before enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, adding LLLT could reduce pain, improve knee function, and help preserve femoral cartilage thickness and muscle mass around the knee.
How similar studies have gone: Prior randomized trials and meta-analyses, including work referenced by Alghadir et al., have shown modest pain and function benefits from LLLT for knee osteoarthritis, but findings are mixed and effects on cartilage thickness and sarcopenia are not well established.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Individuals with knee osteoarthritis according to ACR criteria, Those at grade 2-3 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, Individuals aged over 50 years Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with a history of trauma or surgery to the knee joint, Those who have received intra-articular injection to the knee within the last 3 months, Those who have undergone physical therapy or exercise treatment in the past year, Individuals with a pacemaker, Patients with high cardiac risk, Those with active malignancy, Individuals with genetic bone or joint disease, Those with a BMI \> 35 kg/m²
Where it's running
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Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Ankara, Yenimahalle, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Irem Adiguzel, Medi̇cal Doctor
- Email: altinsoyyirem@gmail.com
- Phone: +90 505 443 14 45
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.