Purpose: Osteoarthritis is one the most common chronic diseases of the joints that mostly affects knee joint. Low power laser is one the minimally invasive treatments of osteoarthritis. However, the efficacy of this therapy is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low power laser therapy in reducing pain and increasing knee range of motion compared to placebo laser. Methods:This study was a double-blind clinical trial performed at a day clinic in Tehran, Iran, from March 2016 to February 2017. Treatment for both groups comprised 10 sessions, 5 times a week. In this study, low power laser with a wavelength of 810 nm and a power of 100 mW at 8 points was applied around the knee during two weeks of treatment. At the same time, laser was applied in the placebo group, but the power output was zero. Data analyses were performed by repeated measures ANOVA test using SPSS version 20. Results:The mean pain score at rest (P=0.691), as well as at activity (P=0.751) were not significantly different between the two groups. The range of motion of knee flexion (P=0.435), and the range of motion of knee extension (P=0.885) showed no significant difference between two groups. Both interventions over time lead to a significant change in pain at rest and at activity and also increase in the range of motion in knee flexion and extension (P<0.05). Conclusion:Both placebo treatment with routine physiotherapy and active laser therapy with routine physiotherapy decreased knee pain and increased knee range of motion in patients affected with osteoarthritis and there was no significant difference between two therapies.

Neck pain is one of the most common health problems that its prevalence ranges from 34% to 50%. Chronic Neck Pain (CNP) is also a frequent complaint in the general population. The pathogenesis of nonspecific CNP is not clear. This study aimed to assess the effects of soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques and exercise on neck Range of Motion (ROM), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and pain in patients with nonspecific CNP. Methods: This is a randomized, single-blind, clinical study conducted on two groups of patients in Iran, during 2016-2017. Group A received intervention treatment and group B, as control, received no treatment for 21 days. Each group consisted of 12 participants who were selected considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. Each patient in group A received manual treatment protocols (soft tissue release and muscle energy techniques) plus exercise therapy, in six sessions, one session per day, two days a week over a period of 21 days. Clinical assessments were performed at the first and last session (before and after the treatment). Before starting the study, the reliabilities of measurement methods were evaluated and the results were acceptable. Clinical assessments included neck ROM, NDI and pain based on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Repeated measures ANOVA test was performed for data analysis using SPSS (version 20). Results: Totally, 16 women and 8 men were participated in this study. To test the hypothesis and analysis of the study variables at regular intervals from the beginning to the end of treatment, repeated measures ANOVA was used. In the intervention group, the indexes showed significant improvements (P<0.001). This means that our intervention treatment was effective. Conclusion: The study results support the effectiveness of the combination therapy (soft tissue release, muscle energy techniques plus exercise therapy) with some improvements in the neck ROM, NDI and pain (Based on VAS scores) for the management of patients with non-specific CNP.

Purpose: Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the world so that about 80% of people are affected by LBP at least once in a lifetime. Therefore, knowing the risk factors for LBP is an important topic. Obesity is also a major health problem that is dramatically rising. If there is a proven relationship between obesity and LBP, losing weight can be an effective advice to help treat effectively LBP. This study aimed to evaluate the association between LBP and Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Percentage (BFP), Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR), and Waist to Height Ratio (WHtR). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 women aged 20 to 40 years were randomly recruited by convenience sampling method during 2016-2017. They were living in one of the dormitories of Tehran, and were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of them, 30 persons suffered from LBP during the past year and 30 were healthy. Therefore, the participants were divided into two groups: LBP and healthy. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and also the skin folds at triceps, quadriceps, and suprailiac were measured for all participants. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS22. Results: The mean BMI value, although, was higher in patients with LBP, but showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.17). The mean values of WHR (P=0.04), WHtR (P=0.04), and BFP (P=0.03) in participants with LBP were significantly higher than those in the control group. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the relationship between the WHR, WHtR, and also BFP with the incidence of LBP in women. The strongest relationship was found between LBP and BFP.

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