Resistance exercise and low-level laser therapy improves grip strength and morphological aspects in the ankle joint of Wistar rats with experimental arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease mainly affecting synovial joints. Photobiomodulation through low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and resistance exercise may improve the inflammatory process. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of resistance exercise, LLLT, and the combination of both treatments on hind paw grip strength and ankle joint histomorphometric aspects of Wistar rats subjected to experimental RA.

Physical Exercise and Low-Level Laser Therapy Systemic Effects on the Ankle Joint in an Experimental Rheumatoid Arthritis Model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the systemic effects of stair climbing exercise, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and the association of both treatments on pelvic member functionality and ankle joint histomorphometric aspects of Wistar rats submitted to experimental rheumatoid arthritis (RA) protocol.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into the following 8 groups: control; control LLLT; control exercise; control LLLT and exercise; arthritis group; arthritis LLLT; arthritis exercise; and arthritis LLLT and exercise, with n = 8 for functional and n = 5 for histomorphometrical tests. The experimental RA was induced by complete Freund adjuvant injection in the knee joint cavity.

Physical exercise and low-level laser therapy on the nociception and leukocyte migration of Wistar rats submitted to a model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis denotes hyperplasia and intense inflammatory process. Treatment involves exercise protocols and use of resources such as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to modulate the inflammatory process and maintain physical capacity. The objective was to investigate whether treatment with LLLT and exercise modulates the inflammatory process and peripheral functionality.