Laser Acupuncture Versus Reflexology Therapy in Elderly with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview

Journal Lasers Med Sci

Publisher Springer

Date 2017 Apr 29

PMID 28451815

Citations 11

Authors

Afnan Sedky Adly

Aya Sedky Adly

Mahmoud Sedky Adly

Zahra M H Serry

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to determine and compare efficacy of laser acupuncture versus reflexology in elderly with rheumatoid arthritis. Thirty elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis aged between 60 and 70 years were classified into two groups, 15 patients each. Group A received laser acupuncture therapy (904 nm, beam area of 1cm, power 100 mW, power density 100 mW/cm, energy dosage 4 J, energy density 4 J/cm, irradiation time 40 s, and frequency 100,000 Hz). The acupuncture points that were exposed to laser radiation are LR3, ST25, ST36, SI3, SI4, LI4, LI11, SP6, SP9, GB25, GB34, and HT7. While group B received reflexology therapy, both offered 12 sessions over 4 weeks. The changes in RAQoL, HAQ, IL-6, MDA, ATP, and ROM at wrist and ankle joints were measured at the beginning and end of treatment. There was significant decrease in RAQoL, HAQ, IL-6, and MDA pre/posttreatment for both groups (p < 0.05); significant increase in ATP pre/posttreatment for both groups (p < 0.05); significant increase in ankle dorsi-flexion, plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, extension, and ulnar deviation ROM pre/posttreatment in group A (p < 0.05); and significant increase in ankle dorsi-flexion and ankle plantar-flexion ROM pre/posttreatment in group B (p < 0.05). Comparison between both groups showed a statistical significant decrease in MDA and a statistical significant increase in ATP in group A than group B. Percent of changes in MDA was 41.82%↓ in group A versus 21.68%↓ in group B; changes in ATP was 226.97%↑ in group A versus 67.02%↑ in group B. Moreover, there was a statistical significant increase in ankle dorsi-flexion, ankle plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and radial deviation in group A than group B. Laser therapy is associated with significant improvement in MDA and ATP greater than reflexology. In addition, it is associated with significant improvement in ankle dorsi-flexion, ankle plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and radial deviation greater than reflexology in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Citing Articles

The role of purinergic signaling in acupuncture-mediated relief of neuropathic and inflammatory pain.

Huo M, Zhang Q, Si Y, Zhang Y, Chang H, Zhou M Purinergic Signal. 2024; .

PMID: 38305986 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-09985-y.

Effects of low-level laser therapy in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

Lourinho I, Sousa T, Jardim R, Pinto A, Iosimuta N PLoS One. 2023; 18(9):e0291345.

PMID: 37683021 PMC: 10490856. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291345.

What Is New in Classification, Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Narrative Review.

Zhuang J, Mei H, Fang F, Ma X Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2022; 3:937004.

PMID: 35910265 PMC: 9335004. DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2022.937004.

Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Li H, Man S, Zhang L, Hu L, Song H Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022; 2022:5264977.

PMID: 35535158 PMC: 9078778. DOI: 10.1155/2022/5264977.

The Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.

Hung Y, Lin P, Chiu H, Huang P, Hu W J Pain Res. 2021; 14:1707-1719.

PMID: 34163229 PMC: 8214113. DOI: 10.2147/JPR.S308876.

References

Wang L, Sikora J, Hu L, Shen X, Grygorczyk R, Schwarz W . ATP release from mast cells by physical stimulation: a putative early step in activation of acupuncture points. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013:350949. PMC: 3687719. DOI: 10.1155/2013/350949. View

Silman A . The changing face of rheumatoid arthritis: why the decline in incidence?. Arthritis Rheum. 2002; 46(3):579-81. DOI: 10.1002/art.508. View

Shea B, Swinden M, Tanjong Ghogomu E, Ortiz Z, Katchamart W, Rader T . Folic acid and folinic acid for reducing side effects in patients receiving methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013; (5):CD000951. PMC: 7046011. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000951.pub2. View

Sommer O, Kladosek A, Weiler V, Czembirek H, Boeck M, Stiskal M . Rheumatoid arthritis: a practical guide to state-of-the-art imaging, image interpretation, and clinical implications. Radiographics. 2005; 25(2):381-98. DOI: 10.1148/rg.252045111. View

Chow R, David M, Armati P . 830 nm laser irradiation induces varicosity formation, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential and blocks fast axonal flow in small and medium diameter rat dorsal root ganglion neurons: implications for the analgesic effects of 830 nm laser. J Peripher Nerv Syst. 2007; 12(1):28-39. DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8027.2007.00114.x. View

Brosseau L, Welch V, Wells G, Tugwell P, De Bie R, Gam A . Low level laser therapy for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a metaanalysis. J Rheumatol. 2000; 27(8):1961-9. View

Pagan J, Pauly M . Access to conventional medical care and the use of complementary and alternative medicine. Health Aff (Millwood). 2005; 24(1):255-62. DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.24.1.255. View

Gozuyesil E, Baser M . The effect of foot reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016; 24:78-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.05.011. View

Hu W, Chang C, Hung Y, Tseng Y, Hung I, Hsu S . Laser acupuncture therapy in patients with treatment-resistant temporomandibular disorders. PLoS One. 2014; 9(10):e110528. PMC: 4201549. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110528. View

10.

Jazayeri J, Carroll G, Vernallis A . Interleukin-6 subfamily cytokines and rheumatoid arthritis: role of antagonists. Int Immunopharmacol. 2009; 10(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2009.09.019. View

11.

Kumagai S, Jikimoto T, Saegusa J . [Pathological roles of oxidative stress in autoimmune diseases]. Rinsho Byori. 2003; 51(2):126-32. View

12.

Alamanos Y, Drosos A . Epidemiology of adult rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmun Rev. 2005; 4(3):130-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2004.09.002. View

13.

Huang Y, Sharma S, Carroll J, Hamblin M . Biphasic dose response in low level light therapy - an update. Dose Response. 2012; 9(4):602-18. PMC: 3315174. DOI: 10.2203/dose-response.11-009.Hamblin. View

14.

Emery P . Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. BMJ. 2006; 332(7534):152-5. PMC: 1336767. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.332.7534.152. View

15.

McCullough J, Liddle S, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes C . The physiological and biochemical outcomes associated with a reflexology treatment: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014; 2014:502123. PMC: 4026838. DOI: 10.1155/2014/502123. View

16.

Sudmeier I, Bodner G, Egger I, Mur E, Ulmer H, Herold M . [Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography]. Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999; 6(3):129-34. DOI: 10.1159/000021238. View

17.

Oleson T . Auriculotherapy stimulation for neuro-rehabilitation. NeuroRehabilitation. 2002; 17(1):49-62. View

18.

Helmick C, Felson D, Lawrence R, Gabriel S, Hirsch R, Kwoh C . Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part I. Arthritis Rheum. 2008; 58(1):15-25. DOI: 10.1002/art.23177. View

19.

Jones J, Thomson P, Lauder W, Howie K, Leslie S . Reflexology has an acute (immediate) haemodynamic effect in healthy volunteers: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012; 18(4):204-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.03.006. View

20.

David J, Townsend S, Sathanathan R, Kriss S, Dore C . The effect of acupuncture on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Rheumatology (Oxford). 1999; 38(9):864-9. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/38.9.864. View