The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain Associated With Tendinopathy: A Critically Appraised Topic

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew T. Doyle ◽  
Christine Lauber ◽  
Kendra Sabine
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Clinical Scenario ◽  
Clinical Question ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Moist Heat ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser

Clinical Scenario:Tendinopathies plague many active individuals, causing pain and reducing sport activity by decreasing range of motion and strength. There are many modalities that have been used to treat pain associated with chronic inflammation, such as ultrasound, moist heat packs, and electrical stimulation. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is one such modality. Potential benefits of managing pain associated with tendinopathies have been investigated using LLLT. Cellular respiration and metabolism are thought to be increased by LLLT acting on the mitochondrial cytochromes. The effects LLLT may have on cellular activity could increase blood flow to progress the healing process by reducing the pain-spasm cycle. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to identify the clinical effectiveness of LLLT on pain associated with tendinopathy and to identify the parameters used to achieve statistically and clinically relevant pain outcomes.Focused Clinical Question:What is the effect of LLLT on pain associated with tendinopathy?Clinical Bottom Line:Although LLLT significantly decreases pain from baseline, its use may be no better than placebo or traditional treatments such as ultrasound, moist heat packs, electrical stimulation, or therapeutic exercise to reduce pain associated with tendinopathy. Total accumulated joules across the treatment sessions may need to be taken into account as a parameter.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined With an Exercise Program to Reduce Pain and Increase Function in Adults With Shoulder Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee L. Thornton ◽  
Cailee W. McCarty ◽  
Mollie-Jean Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Shoulder Pain ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Clinical Scenario ◽  
Clinical Question ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Shoulder Range Of Motion ◽  
Level Laser

Clinical Scenario:Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects up to 25% of the general population. Shoulder pain can be caused by any number of underlying conditions including subacromial impingement syndrome, rotator-cuff tendinitis, and biceps tendinitis. Regardless of the specific pathology, pain is generally the number 1 symptom associated with shoulder injuries and can severely affect daily activities and quality of life of patients with these conditions. Two of the primary goals in the treatment of these conditions are reducing pain and increasing shoulder range of motion (ROM).3 Conservative treatment has traditionally included a therapeutic exercise program targeted at increasing ROM, strengthening the muscles around the joint, proprioceptive training, or some combination of those activities. In addition, these exercise programs have been supplemented with other interventions including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, manual therapy, activity modification, and a wide array of therapeutic modalities (eg, cryotherapy, EMS, ultrasound). Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used as an additional modality in the conservative management of patients with shoulder pain. However, the true effectiveness of LLLT in decreasing pain and increasing function in patients with shoulder pain is unclear.Focused Clinical Question:Is low-level laser therapy combined with an exercise program more effective than an exercise program alone in the treatment of adults with shoulder pain?

scholarly journals In dogs does low level laser therapy reduce healing time?

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Jane Suiter
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Healing Time ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Strength Of Evidence ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser

Clinical bottom line Category of research question Treatment The number and type of study designs reviewed Five papers were critically reviewed. Four were randomised controlled trials and one was a case report Strength of evidence Moderate Outcomes reported Three out of the five studies currently available assessing low level laser therapy to improve wound healing, suggest that low level laser therapy has no beneficial effect on the healing of open or incisional wounds. Of the papers that used statistical analysis, no statistical significance was found in wound surface area over time or tissue histological findings between wounds treated with laser therapy and those who were not. Two papers identified did find decreased wound healing times however the strength of evidence is far poorer for both, with only subjective assessment of the wound in the controlled trial and the other being a case report without control Conclusion Currently there is no strong evidence that low level laser therapy increases the speed of wound contracture and reduced healing time. More studies are recommended to provide stronger evidence towards the use of low level laser therapy in wound healing, preferably with a larger population of dogs and with laser settings which are consistent with previous studies for comparison How to apply this evidence in practice The application of evidence into practice should take into account multiple factors, not limited to: individual clinical expertise, patient’s circumstances and owners’ values, country, location or clinic where you work, the individual case in front of you, the availability of therapies and resources. Knowledge Summaries are a resource to help reinforce or inform decision making. They do not override the responsibility or judgement of the practitioner to do what is best for the animal in their care.   

scholarly journals Low-Level Laser Therapy and the Recovery of Muscle Function After a Single Session of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A Crossover Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Cieśliński ◽  
Ewa Jówko ◽  
Tomasz Sacewicz ◽  
Igor Cieśliński ◽  
Maciej Płaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser ◽  
Femoris Muscle

Abstract Introduction. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is applied in muscle atrophy and in muscle strength and endurance training in athletes. Muscle soreness and temporary reduction in muscle strength may occur as adverse effects. Laser therapy has been used as a method of counteracting delayed onset muscle soreness following volitional exercise, but not following electrical stimulation. The aim of the study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy applied prior to electrical stimulation accelerates the recovery of muscle strength and decreases the duration and intensity of muscle soreness at rest after intensive isometric neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Material and methods. A randomised crossover trial was carried out on 24 healthy, recreationally active men aged 22-24 years. Low-level laser therapy or sham laser therapy was applied prior to a single session of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle with typical technical and training-related parameters. Irradiations were performed immediately prior to and shortly after electrical stimulation as well as 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after this procedure. Muscle soreness was examined using the VAS scale in the same time periods. Quadriceps moments of force were recorded with the use of a Biodex 4 Pro device during maximum voluntary static contraction and during electrical stimulation that triggered a tetanic contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle reaching the level of maximum tolerance. Results. No significant differences were noted in the severity of quadriceps soreness and in the magnitude of the decrease in the moments of force of maximum voluntary contractions after stimulation preceded by laser therapy and that preceded by sham irradiations. Conclusions. In the group studied, laser therapy applied before single electrical stimulation with typical parameters did not bring about a faster recovery of muscle strength or a more rapid decrease in soreness than sham laser therapy used prior to electrical stimulation. Further research on larger groups of subjects with the application of various procedures as well as research on training programmes is needed.

scholarly journals Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Decrease Muscle-Damaging Mediators After Performance in Soccer Athletes Versus Sham Laser Treatment? A Critically Appraised Topic

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1210-1213
Author(s):  
Jordan Bettleyon ◽  
Thomas W. Kaminski
Keyword(s):  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser

Clinical Scenario: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a controversial topic for its use in athletic recovery, mainly due to inconsistency in research regarding the application of LLLT. Articles on LLLT have assessed its effectiveness in untrained humans through pain scales, functional scales, and blood draws, and it has been found capable in nonathletic rehabilitative use. The controversy lies with LLLT in the recovering athlete. Not only do athletes need to perform at high levels, but each sport is unique in the metabolic demands placed on the athletes’ bodies. This modality can alter chemical mediators of the inflammatory process, specifically blood lactate (BL) and creatine kinase (CK). During soccer contests, it is a common problem for athletes to have an average CK level of 800 U/L and BL of 8 mmol·L, increasing delayed-onset muscle soreness and fatigue. Micro-CK level elevation is associated with cellular membrane damage, localized hypoxia, and electrolyte imbalances, hindering the recovery process. Clinical Question: Does LLLT decrease muscle-damaging mediators effecting player fatigue and delayed-onset muscle soreness after performance in soccer athletes versus sham treatment? Summary of Key Findings: In 3 studies, preperformance, postperformance, or preperformance and postperformance LLLT was performed and evaluated BL (2 of 3) and CK (2 of 3). In each article, BL and CK showed a significant decrease (P < .05) when performed either preperformance or postperformance versus the control group. The greatest decrease in these mediators was noticed when postperformance laser therapy was performed. Clinical Bottom Line: LLLT at 10, 30, or 50 J performed at a minimum of 2 locations on the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis bilaterally for 10 seconds each is significant in decreasing blood serum levels of BL and CK when performed postexercise. Strength of Recommendations: All 3 articles obtained a Physiotherapy Evidence Database score of ≥8/10.

Assessment of healing of dental implant surgical site following Low-Level Laser Therapy using Bio-Clinical parameters: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
VARSHA PALLED ◽  
DR. JITENDRA RAO ◽  
DR. RAGHUWAR DAYAL SINGH ◽  
DR. SHUCHI TRIPATHI ◽  
DR. KALPANA SINGH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Parameters ◽  
Implant Stability ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Implant Stability Quotient ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) improves the healing of the implant surgical site with clinical and biochemical parameters.Thirty patients with an edentulous space spanning a single tooth were selected. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups - the control group and the test group. The test group received laser energy at a power of 2J/cm 2 with a total of 4-6J energy over each implant. Clinical parameters (Implant Stability Quotient, probing index, modified sulcus bleeding index)and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were assessed at baseline and follow-up intervals (2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months).The test group showed significantly higher implant stability quotient compared to thecontrol group at 2 weeks(57.93±3.95 and 35.67±3.08; p&lt;0.01) and 3months(58.86±3.75 and 67.06±3.78; p&lt;0.01). A significant rise in OPG levels of the test group(686.30±125.36pg/ml at baseline and 784.25±108.30pg/ml at 3months;p&lt;0.01) was seen contrary to significant decline in the control group (839.50±249.08pg/ml at baseline,415.30±78.39pg/ml at 3months;p&lt;0.01). Within the limitations of the study, the study suggests that the healing of peri-implant hard and soft tissues may be enhanced with the use of LLLT as an explicit modality during the post-operative period.

Low-level laser therapy for neurosensory recovery after sagittal ramus osteotomy

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Esteves Pinto Faria ◽  
Astrid Temprano ◽  
Fábio Piva ◽  
Eduardo Sant'ana ◽  
Dênis Pimenta
Keyword(s):  
Laser Therapy ◽  
Low Level Laser Therapy ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Low Level Laser ◽  
Level Laser
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