Laser vs Lontophoresis in KOA

Effectiveness of Laser Therapy Versus Lontophoresis in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of laser therapy and iontophoresis in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study will evaluate pain reduction, functional improvement, and knee joint mobility following

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Low-Level Laser Therapy; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Only; Device: Iontophoresis

Detailed Description

Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups receiving either laser therapy plus conventional physiotherapy, iontophoresis plus conventional physiotherapy, or conventional physiotherapy alone. Outcome measures will be assessed before and after treatment

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 66
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: abdulaziz fahad alsulaimani, MASTER; Phone Number: 966566613748; Email: azoztaif88@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• * Age 45-65 years.

  • Diagnosed primary knee osteoarthritis (Grade I-II).
  • Both genders.
  • Ability to follow treatment protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• * Previous knee surgery.

  • Intra-articular injections within last 6 months.
  • Pacemaker.
  • Skin lesions at treatment area.
  • Severe neurological or cardiovascular disorders.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group A: Low-Level Laser Therapy	Device: Low-Level Laser Therapy; Low-level laser therapy combined with conventional physical therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis to reduce pain and improve functional mobility and knee joint range of motion; Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Only; Conventional physical therapy program for patients with knee osteoarthritis including therapeutic exercises, stretching, strengthening exercises, and pain relief modalities to improve knee function and mobility.
Active Comparator: Group B; Iontophoresis	Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Only; Conventional physical therapy program for patients with knee osteoarthritis including therapeutic exercises, stretching, strengthening exercises, and pain relief modalities to improve knee function and mobility.; Device: Iontophoresis; Iontophoresis using dexamethasone combined with conventional physical therapy for patients with knee osteoarthritis to reduce pain and improve physical function and knee joint mobility
Active Comparator: Group C; Conventional Physical Therapy Only	Other: Conventional Physical Therapy Only; Conventional physical therapy program for patients with knee osteoarthritis including therapeutic exercises, stretching, strengthening exercises, and pain relief modalities to improve knee function and mobility.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Pain intensity measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	Baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment
Functional disability measured using WOMAC.	Baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment
3. Knee Range of Motion (ROM).	Baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in physical function assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Physical Function Subscale	The WOMAC Physical Function Subscale consists of 17 items assessing difficulty in performing daily activities. Scores range from 0 to 68, with higher scores indicating worse physical function.	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 4
2. Reduction of joint stiffness.		Baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment
Change in daily activities performance assessed by the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Physical Function Subscale	The WOMAC Physical Function Subscale consists of 17 items assessing difficulty in activities of daily living. Scores range from 0 to 68, with higher scores indicating worse functional limitation.	Baseline (Day 0) and Week 4

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kafrelsheikh University
• Investigators: Study Chair: hane mohamed hamed, PHD, professor of orthopedic surgery depaetment of orthopedic surgery faculty of medicine kafrelsheikh university; Study Chair: mahmoud mohamed ewida, PHD, professor of basic sciences for physical therapy department of basic sciences for physical therapy faculty oh physical therapy kafrelsheikh university

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 12, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 18, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Investigative Techniques; Therapeutics; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Therapy; Electrochemical Techniques; Laser Therapy; Phototherapy; Electrophoresis; Low-Level Light Therapy; Iontophoresis
• Other Study ID Numbers: KFSIRB200-1047

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No