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| Study | Participant characteristics | n | Interventions | Follow-up | Outcome measures | Results |
|
| Yurtkuran et al. [21] | 1. KOA patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grades II and III
2. An average pain intensity of ≥40 on a 100 mm VAS over the last month before baseline assessment | 52 | Active laser acupuncture (27) vs. placebo (25) | 2nd week PIa,b;
12th week | 1. Pain—pVAS; WOMAC pain score
2. Function—50 foot w; WOMAC function score
3. Stiffness—WOMAC stiffness score
4. Others: KC; MTS; NHP | Laser acupuncture was found to be effective only in reducing periarticular swelling when compared with placebo |
| Shen et al. [22] | 1. KOA patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥2
2. Moderate or greater clinically significant knee pain on most days during the previous month | 35 | Active laser acupuncture (19) vs. placebo (16) | 2nd week PIb | 1. Pain—WOMAC pain score
2. Function—WOMAC function score
3. Stiffness—WOMAC stiffness score
4. Others: adverse effects | Laser acupuncture was found to be effective in improving WOMAC index scores for pain, stiffness, and function when compared with placebo |
| Al Rashoud et al. [23] | 1. Patients with KOA according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria
2. An average pain intensity of ≥3 on a 10 cm VAS | 49 | Active laser acupuncture (26) vs. placebo (23) | After fifth session;
after last session;
6 week PIa;
6 month PI | 1. Pain—VAS
2. Function—SKFS score | Short-term application of LLLT to specific acupuncture points in association with exercise and advice is effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with KOA |
| Hinman et al. [24] | 1. People who have knee pain of longer than 3 months’ duration and morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes
2. An average pain severity of 4 or more out of 10 on an NRS | 141 | Active laser acupuncture (71) vs. placebo (70) | 12th weeks (8 week PI)a,b;
1 year | 1. Pain—NRS; WOMAC pain score
2. Function—WOMAC function score
3. Others: AQoL-6D; SF-12 | Laser acupuncture resulted in modest improvements in pain compared with control at 12 weeks that were not maintained at 1 year. But there were no significant differences in outcomes between active and sham laser acupuncture at 12 weeks or 1 year |
| Helianthi et al. [25] | 1. KOA patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grades II and III
2. An average pain intensity of ≥40 on a 100 mm VAS | 59 | Active laser acupuncture (30) vs. placebo (29) | After 4 sessions;
after 9 sessionsa;
2 week PI | 1. Pain—VAS
2. Others: Lequesne index | Laser acupuncture had a more effective effect on reducing VAS and Lequesne index in the elderly patients with KOA compared to placebo treatment |
| Suen et al. [19] | 1. Patients with KOA according to the clinical criteria of the American College of Rheumatology guidelines
2. People who experienced knee pain | 19 | Laser acupuncture (10) vs. placebo (9) | 6th week PIa | 1. Pain—NRS
2. Function—TUGT; the active and passive ROM of the knee | Nearly all outcome measures showed significant differences before and after intervention in subjects who received laser acupuncture treatment, but there are no significant differences between laser acupuncture and placebo groups |
| Rees et al. [20] | 1. KOA patients with Kellgren–Lawrence grades II and III
2. People who suffer OA less than 10 years | 40 | Active laser acupuncture (20) vs. placebo (20) | 4th week PIa;
8th weekb;
12th week | 1. Pain—VAS; WOMAC pain score; SF-MPQ
2. Function—WOMAC function score
3. Stiffness—WOMAC stiffness score
4. Others: WAI-C; MHLC-C | Laser acupuncture can safely reduce OAK pain and stiffness and improve physical function |
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