Efficacy of low power laser therapy in fibromyalgia: a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial
08/04/2018LLLT using a diode laser in successful treatment of a herniated lumbar/sacral disc
08/04/2018Bjordal J M, Couppe´ C, Ljunggren E
University of Bergen, Section of Physiotherapy Science, 5020 Bergen, NORVEGE Willemoes gade 61, 4.sal, 2100, Copenhagen, DANEMARK
Physical Therapy Reviews (2001) 6: 91-99
To investigate whether low-level laser therapy can reduce pain from tendinopathy, the authors performed a review of randomized placebo-controlled trials with laser therapy for tendinopathy. Validity assessment of each trail was done according to predefined criteria for location-specific dosage and irradiation of the skin directly overlying the affected tendon. The literature search identified 78 randomised control trials of which 20 included tendinopathy. Seven trials were excluded for not meeting the validity criteria on treatment procedure and trial design. 12 of the remaining 13 trials investigated the effect of laser therapy for patients with subacute and chronic tendinopathy and provided a pooled mean effect of 21%. If results from only the nine trials adhering to assumed optimal treatment parameters wereincluded, the mean effect over placebo increased to 32%. Laser therapy can reduce pain in subacute and chronic tendinopathy if a valid treatment procedure and location-specific dose is used.
