A chronic joint disorder in which there is progressive softening and disintegration of articular cartilage accompanied by new growth of cartilage and bone at the joint margins and capsular fibrosis. Arthritis, though having a huge burden among the elderly, is not given the importance it deserves in public health. Arthritis may not directly lead to mortality, but influences the quality of life largely presence of arthritis in older adults was associated with more pain, functional limitation, and lower quality of life. Arthritis is the inflammation of or damage to the joint. Nearly 43 million Americans have some kind of arthritis. The symptoms and seriousness of arthritis vary widely. Researchers don't know what causes most kinds of arthritis. Chances are you or someone you know has arthritis or a related condition. Pain from arthritis can be ongoing or can come and go. Arthritis can affect the muscles, organs and connective tissues. Infrared radiation is (of electromagnetic radiation) having a wavelength just greater than that of the red end of the visible light spectrum but less than that of microwaves. Infrared radiation has a wavelength from about 800 nm to 1 mm, and is emitted particularly by heated objects Multiple studies have shown that the infrared light therapy application for reduce the level of pain. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of infrared light therapy treatment of arthritis considering the findings described in the literature, it is hypothesized a decrease of the pain in the arthritis client.

An experimental study was chosen to assess the effectiveness of infrared light therapy among arthritis clients. The present study was conducted at Mappedu. 30 samples both male and female who come under inclusion criteria were selected by purposive sampling technique, data was collected by using socio demographic variable and assessed the level pain was assessed by numerical pain scale. Pre –test level of pain assessed by using numerical pain scale, after infrared light therapy application, purpose was explained to the samples. Infrared light therapy applied for arthritis client. Then the post-test level of pain assessed by numerical pain scale. Compared to pre-test level of pain and post- test level of pain in arthritis client. The data were analyzed by using experimental and inferential statistics. Additionally, paired T test was performed to assess the effectiveness of the study.

An experimental study was chosen to assess the effectiveness of infrared light therapy among arthritis clients. The present study was conducted at Mappedu. 30 samples selected under inclusion criteria were selected by purposive sampling technique, data was collected by using socio demographic variable developed by researcher and it deals with details such as age, gender, religion, education, occupation, marital status, economic condition. The tools were translated to Tamil language. As a part of the assess the level of pain by using numerical pain scale. The socio demographic data was collected and informed consent was obtained from the sample. The pretest level of pain was assessed by using numerical pain scale. Application of infrared light therapy to the clients, then the posttest level of pain was assessed by using numerical pain scale. The data were analyzed by using experimental and inferential statistics. Additionally, paired T test was performed to assess the effectiveness of the study.

Out of 30 samples 5(18%) were 40-50years; 14(46%) arthritis client were 50-60; 9(30%) arthritis client were 60-70 years ; 2(6%) arthritis client were above 70years.Regarding sex out of 30 samples, 12(40%)arthritis client were males;18(60%) arthritis client were females. Regarding religion out of 30 samples, 26(87%) arthritis client were Hindu, 4(13%) arthritis client were Christian. Regarding education out of 30 samples, 11(36%) arthritis client were SSLC; 3(10%) arthritis client were 12th std; 16(54%) uneducated. Regarding occupation out of 30 samples , 3(11%) arthritis client were government ; 8(26%) nongovernment; 16(53%) unemployment; 3(10%) agriculture .Regarding economic status out of 30 samples , 10(34%) arthritis client were rich; 16(53%) medium;4(13%) poor.

Reveals that pre and post-test level of arthritis pain shows that the mean score of pre-test is 7.2 and the mean score of post-test is 2.7. Post –test mean value is lower than pre-test. The paired ‘t’ value found statistically significant, and it shows that infrared light therapy is effective to reduce the arthritis pain.

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of demographic variables among arthritis clients.

TABLE 1: the table shows that out of 30 samples 5(18%) were 40-50years; 14(46%) arthritis client were 50-60; 9(30%) arthritis client were 60-70 years; 2(6%) arthritis client were above 70years.Regarding sex out of 30 samples, 12(40%) arthritis client were males; 18(60%) arthritis client were females. Regarding religion out of 30 samples, 26(87%) arthritis client were Hindu, 4(13%) arthritis client were Christian. Regarding education out of 30 samples, 11(36%) arthritis client were SSLC; 3(10%) arthritis client were 12th std; 16(54%) uneducated. Regarding occupation out of 30 samples, 3(11%) arthritis client were government; 8(26%) nongovernment; 16(53%) unemployment; 3(10%) agriculture. Regarding economic status out of 30 samples, 10(34%) arthritis client were rich; 16(53%) medium;4(13%)poor.

Table 2: To determine the effectiveness of infrared light therapy among arthritis clients

TABLE 2 :Reveals that pre and post-test level of arthritis pain shows that the mean score of pre-test is 7.2 and the mean score of post-test is 2.7. post –test mean value is lower than pre-test. The paired ‘t’ value found statistically significant ,and it shows that infrared light therapy is effective to reduce the arthritis pain.

Figure-I