Effects of High Versus Low Laser Therapy on Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Global Randomized Controlled Trials and Local Studies Within Saudi Arabia

Author(s): Ali H. Alyami, Abdullah AlMansour, Alwaleed Alyami, Aroub Almaghrabi, Mishary Alassiri, Asim M Albishry

Osteoarthritis (OA) mangment often fall short, carry risks, or provide insignificant symptomatic benefits. One non-invasive treatment is lasertherapy, which has been gaining attention for its potential to modulate inflammation and enhance tissue repair, thus making it a potential therapy for OA. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of various laser therapy parameters and compare them to conventional treatments in Saudi Arabia while compiling and analyzing global studies. A systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials. Studies involving laser therapy for osteoarthritis of any joint were included. Data were extracted on laser specifications, outcomes, and adverse effects. Nonparametric statistical analyses were applied due to non-normal data distribution, and qualitative synthesis was performed to interpret the results. Fifty studies were included, comprising seven local papers from Saudi Arabia. Low-power laser therapy was the most used. This therapy led to significant improvements in pain and function, particularly when combined with exercise, and there were very few reported side effects. However, the evidence was limited due to differences in study design and small sample sizes. Laser therapy shows great potential as a non-invasive treatment for osteoarthritis. Standardized protocols and robust trials must confirm this and define its role in clinical practice.