Effects of infrared radiation in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative disease that affects different joints in the body. This pathology is characterized by very strong pain and loss of joint function in some cases. The infrared radiation contributes to the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Therefore, this treatment method can help to reduce pain and improve functional capacity. Objective: to compare the studies carried out on this topic to show the effects of infrared in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Method/ Data sources: to carry out this research, they were consulted in the following databases available on the internet: PubMed / Medline, Science direct, SciELO and Springer link. Selection criteria:3 randomized and 2 controlled articles were considered with a total sample of 260 subjects. All literatures were found in the period 2010-2020 and in the English and Spanish languages. Results: they found 871 studies in which 5 articles were selected with a total of 517 patients who meet the selection criteria results.

Limitations:  there is a lack of information in some databases on this topic of Knee Osteoarthritis. Conclusion: we concluded that infrared therapy has proven to be a reliable and effective method in the treatment of osteoarthritis, as it has shown a positive effect in reducing pain and inflammation of the knee.