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

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.

Author(s):  
VARSHA PALLED ◽  
DR. JITENDRA RAO ◽  
DR. RAGHUWAR DAYAL SINGH ◽  
DR. SHUCHI TRIPATHI ◽  
DR. KALPANA SINGH ◽  
...  

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew T. Doyle ◽  
Christine Lauber ◽  
Kendra Sabine

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 130-137
Author(s):  
Huong Nguyen Thi Mai ◽  
Tai Tran Tan ◽  
Khanh Hong Quoc

Background: The most frequently performed surgical procedure in dentistry is impacted third molar extraction with difficulty varies according to the location of the tooth. Laser therapy after surgery can accelerate cell and tissue reconstruction along with relieve post-operative pain. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic characteristics of impacted lower third molar and to evaluate the results of surgical extraction of impacted lower third molar with post-surgical low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Subjects and Methods: Clinical and radiographic data from 90 patients (average age 28.13 ± 5.38) subjected to a surgical extraction of lower third molar were pooled and divided randomly into 3 groups: group 1 received LLLT immediately after surgery intraorally, group 2 treated with LLLT immediately after the extraction extraorally. Patients received routine management with nonactivated laser were inserted in the control group. Assessments of pain, swelling and trismus level were carried out at 24, 48 hours and on the 7th day after surgery. Results: Correlation of wisdom teeth to ramus and adjacent teeth mainly type II (88.9%), type III accounted for 11.1%. Relative depth of wisdom teeth in the bone mainly position B (81.1%), position C (18.9%). Correlation of wisdom teeth axis to adjacent teeth: horizontal (58.9%), mesioangular impactions (40%) and distoangular impaction (1.1%). There were statistically significant decreases in the level of pain, edema and interincisal opening between the laser-treated groups and the control group on the 1st and 2nd postoperative day. Conclusions: Intraoral and extraoral post-surgical low-level laser therapy treatment was useful in reducing swelling, pain and trismus compared to placebo group in impacted third molar surgery. Key words: Impacted lower third molar, low- level laser therapy


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando José Dias ◽  
João Paulo Mardegan Issa ◽  
Mamie Mizusaki Iyomasa ◽  
Joaquim Coutinho-Netto ◽  
Ricardo Alexandre Junqueria Calzzani ◽  
...  

This study analyzed the effects of a low-level laser therapy (LLLT, 15 J/cm2, 780 nm wavelength) and the natural latex protein (P1, 0.1%) in sciatic nerve after crush injury (15 Kgf, axonotmesis) in rats. Sixty rats (male, 250 g) were allocated into the 6 groups (n=10): CG—control group; EG—nerve exposed; IG—injured nerve without treatment; LG—crushed nerve treated with LLLT; PG—injured nerve treated with P1; and LPG—injured nerve treated with LLLT and P1. After 4 or 8 weeks, the nerve samples were processed for morphological, histological quantification and ultrastructural analysis. After 4 weeks, the myelin density and morphological characteristics improved in groups LG, PG, and LPG compared to IG. After 8 weeks, PG, and LPG were similar to CG and the capillary density was higher in the LG, PG, and LPG. In the ultrastructural analysis the PG and LPG had characteristics that were similar to the CG. The application of LLLT and/or P1 improved the recovery from the nerve crush injury, and in the long term, the P1 protein was the better treatment used, since only the application of LLLT has not reached the same results, and these treatments applied together did not potentiate the recovery.


2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry W. Jann ◽  
Kenneth Bartels ◽  
Jerry W. Ritchey ◽  
Mark Payton ◽  
John M. Bennett

AbstractTo evaluate the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on healing of full thickness symmetrical skin wounds in horses. LLLT is a therapeutic modality using the application of light, usually a low power laser or light emitting diode in the power range of 1 mW to 12 W that, in practical terms, promotes tissue regeneration as well as reducing inflammation and pain.Experimental study.Healthy horses (n=8).Full thickness, 2.5 cm square skin wounds were created in the mid-metacarpal region on one leg of eight normal horses. LLLT was used on limbs assigned to the experimental group and limbs assigned to the control group were allowed to heal without treatment. LLLT was administered using a line generated optical scanner with a dual diode laser system (model EML; Erchonia Laser Healthcare, McKinney, TX, USA) at a wavelength of 635 nm and an energy output of 17 mW per diode. Wound size was measured for an 80-day period post operatively. Eighty days after surgery incisional biopsies were examined histologically.Wounds treated with LLLT healed faster than the control wounds (LLLT increased the rate of wound healing.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Jane Suiter

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.   


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-115
Author(s):  
Estéfani Marin ◽  
◽  
Jacqueline Lumy Fuse ◽  
Larissa Pereira Lopes ◽  
Morgana Neves ◽  
...  

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune inflammatory disease of unknown origin, mainly affecting synovial joints and related structures, including the adjacent musculature, generating great disability and reduction in quality of life. Aim. This study was designed to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on gastrocnemius of Wistar rats subjected to an experimental model of RA. Material and methods. Forty male Wistar rats were used, separated into: acute and chronic, being subdivided into Control Group (CG): without intervention, Lesion Group (LG): submitted to lesion, Laser Control Group (LCG): without lesion and with treatment, and Laser Lesion Group (LLG): submitted to lesion and LLLT. The treatment with LLLT occurred in four points of the right knee, wavelength of 660 nm, energy density of 5 J/cm2, energy per point of 0.003 J. Morphometric analysis was performed using a 40x magnification photomicrograph and analyzed using the Image-Pro-Plus 6.0 program. Results. As result of the acute group there was a difference only for muscle mass, being higher in CG. For the chronic group there was significant difference for cross-sectional area, larger and smaller diameter, again with the control group obtaining higher values than the others, for the number of nuclei LG was lower than CG and LCG, but LLG was not different from any of them. Conclusion. It is concluded that treatment with LLLT was not very effective in reversing the harmful effects of RA on the gastrocnemius muscle.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anderson Amaro dos Santos ◽  
Poliani Oliveira ◽  
Kelly Rossetti Fernandes ◽  
Lara Rhon ◽  
Carla Roberta Tim ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the degenerative process in the articular cartilage after an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model in rats.Methods:Eighty male rats (Wistar) were divided into four groups: 1.) intact control group (CG), 2.) injured control group (ICG), 3.) injured laser-treated group at 10 J/cmResults:Initial signs of tissue degradation could be observed 5 weeks post-ACLT, evidenced by the decrease of proteoglycan concentration and increase in cartilage thickness of the ICG. After 8 weeks post-surgery, analysis showed a progression of the degenerative processes in the ICG revealed by the increased cellularity and higher TNF-α, IL1-β and MMP-13 immunoexpression. LLLT was able to modulate some of the aspects relating to the degradative process, such as biomodulation of the number of chondrocyte proliferation, prevention of proteoglycan loss, and decrease of MMP-13 immunoexpression.Conclusion:This study showed that the 685-nm laser irradiation, especially at 10 J/cm


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandana Naseri ◽  
Mohammad Asnaashari ◽  
Elham Moghaddas ◽  
Mohammad Reza Vatankhah

Introduction: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with two different locations, and their comparison, in postoperative endodontic pain (PEP) levels in molars diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Methods: Seventy-five patients with a molar tooth, diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, were divided into three groups of placebo, buccal only irradiation (BI), and buccal and lingual irradiation (BLI), with 25 cases being in each group. The participants received similar singlevisit nonsurgical endodontic treatments. Then, a sham laser was used in the control group instead of LLLT. Individuals in BI and BLI groups received 80-second irradiation on the buccal surface and 80-second irradiation on each of the buccal and lingual surfaces respectively. A laser with an 808 nm wavelength, power of 100 mW, a fiber diameter of 600 μm, and a dose of 70 J/cm2 was used. PEP was assessed using a 0-100 mm VAS 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours after the treatment. Results: BLI showed a significantly higher reduction of PEP compared to placebo in all time intervals of this study. BLI was significantly more effective than BI 8 hours after the treatment. However, intragroup differences between BLI and BI groups at other time intervals and between BI and placebo groups in all time intervals were not significant. The number of taken analgesics in the BLI group was significantly lower than the placebo group and was on a statistical borderline compared to the BI group. Conclusion: LLLT with BLI was an effective measure as a supplement to oral analgesics in the reduction of PEP compared to the placebo.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Cieśliński ◽  
Ewa Jówko ◽  
Tomasz Sacewicz ◽  
Igor Cieśliński ◽  
Maciej Płaszewski

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.


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