Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonary and Geriatrics Disorders

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is highly prevalent and is one of the most frequently self reported autoimmune diseases. Due to the lack of high-quality evidence, the ideal physical therapy treatment/modalities for RA remain unclear. The disparity in research and the necessity to add to the existing literature base led to the development of this study. Purpose: To determine response of RA to laser therapy versus reflexology in elderly. Methods: Forty elderly women patients with RA aged between 65 and 75 years old, selected from outpatient clinic, Kasr Alainy medical school and national institute of laser enhanced sciences, Cairo university, Egypt. The forty patients were classified into two groups; each group consisted of twenty patients. The first received laser therapy (group A) and the second received reflexology therapy (group B) both offered 12 sessions over four weeks. The changes in rheumatoid arthritis quality of life (RAQoL) index, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), (interleukin 6) IL-6, malondialdehyde (MDA) and ATP were measured at the beginning of the study and after four weeks. Results: Showed a statistical significant decrease in RAQoL, HAQ, IL-6 and MDA pre/post treatment for both groups (p<0.05); significant increase in ATP pre/post treatment for both groups (p<0.05). Comparison between both groups showed a statistical significant decrease in MDA and a statistical significant increase in ATP in group (A) than group (B). Percent of changes in MDA was 41.82%{u2193} in group(A) versus 21.68%{u2193} in group (B), changes in ATP was 226.97%{u2191} in group(A) versus 67.02%{u2191} in group B

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