A recent study inferred that there was a significant and maximum improvement in ankle dorsi-flexion, ankle plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and radial deviation when treated with reflexology in elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This was study aimed at demonstrating and differentiating laser acupuncture and reflexology by their efficacy in elder patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, elder patients aged between 60 and 70 years with rheumatoid arthritis were selected and then they were classified into two groups. Group A consisted of 15 patients who received laser acupuncture therapy (904 nm, beam area of 1cm2, power 100 mW, power density 100 mW/cm2, energy dosage 4 J, energy density 4 J/cm2, irradiation time 40 s, and frequency 100,000 Hz). Some points called acupuncture points were exposed to laser radiation, which are LR3, ST25, ST36, SI3, SI4, LI4, LI11, SP6, SP9, GB25, GB34, and HT7. Group B also consisted of 15 patients who received reflexology therapy in 12 sessions over four weeks. At the beginning and end of therapy, changes in RAQoL, HAQ, IL-6, MDA, ATP, and ROM at wrist and ankle joints were measured.

A significant decrease in RAQoL, HAQ, IL-6, and MDA pre/post-treatment for both groups (p < 0.05) was observed whereas a substantial rise in ankle dorsi-flexion, plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, extension. Ulnar deviation ROM pre/post-treatment in group A (p < 0.05) and ankle dorsi-flexion and ankle plantar-flexion ROM pre/post-treatment in group B (p < 0.05) was observed. Comparative analysis of both groups showed a reduction in MDA (41.82%↓ in group A versus 21.68%↓ in group B) an increase in ATP (226.97%↑in group A versus 67.02%↑ in group B). A statical rise in ankle dorsi-flexion, ankle plantar-flexion, wrist flexion, wrist extension, and the radial deviation was observed in group A than group B. Significant increase in Laser therapy was also seen due to improvement in MDA and ATP greater than reflexology.