Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in patients with lower extremity tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objectives: We investigated the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in lower extremity tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis on patient-reported pain and disability.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Eligible articles in any language were identified through PubMed, Embase and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) on the 20 August 2020, references, citations and experts.

Short- and Long-Term Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined with Strength Training in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Both physical activity and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can reduce knee osteoarthritis (KOA) inflammation. We conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate the short- and long-term effectiveness of LLLT combined with strength training in persons with KOA.

Methods: Fifty participants were randomly divided in two groups, one with LLLT plus strength training ( = 26) and one with placebo LLLT plus strength training ( = 24).

Pain and Disability of Conservatively Treated Distal Radius Fracture: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Photobiomodulation Therapy.

Many patients with distal radius fracture (DRF) experience pain and disability after removal of the cast. The aim of this study was to investigate if photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) applied after cast removal provides an add-on effect to a home-based exercise program in rehabilitation after DRF. In this triple-blinded placebo-controlled trial, 50 patients with conservatively treated DRF were randomized to receive either active PBMT or placebo PBMT after cast removal in addition to a home-based exercise therapy program.

Efficacy of mobilisation with movement in chronic shoulder pain: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials.

Introduction: Shoulder pain affects approximately one in four adults and is thus one of the most common musculoskeletal problems. Only 50% of patients who begin treatment for shoulder pain are cured within 6 months. There is a need for systematic reviews to estimate the effectiveness of shoulder treatments.

Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy Associated with Strength Training in Knee Osteoarthritis: Protocol for a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Physical activity and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can reduce knee osteoarthritis (KOA) inflammation. We are conducting a randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the long-term effectiveness of LLLT combined with strength training (ST) in persons with KOA, since it, to our knowledge, has not been investigated before. Fifty participants were enrolled.

Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture During Immobilization with an Orthopedic Cast: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial of Photobiomodulation Therapy.

With distal radius fracture (DRF) many patients experience stiffness and pain after removal of the cast. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in DRF during immobilization with semicircular orthopedic cast. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, 53 patients with DRF were randomized to receive nine treatments of either PBMT or placebo-PBMT.

What is the optimal time-response window for the use of photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) for the improvement of exercise performance and recovery, and for how long the effects last? A randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The optimal time-response window for photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and/or light emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) combined with static magnetic fields (sMF) before physical activity still was not fully investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the better of four time-response windows for PBMT combined with sMF (PBMT-sMF) use before exercise in humans.

Methods: A prospectively registered, randomized, triple-blinded (volunteers, therapists and assessors) placebo-controlled trial was carried out.

Photobiomodulation Therapy is Able to Modulate PGE Levels in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background And Objectives: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is responsible for triggering increased biomarkers levels. In this way, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) may be an interesting alternative to treat these patients. One of the possible biological mechanisms of PBMT involved to decrease pain intensity in patients with musculoskeletal disorders is modulation of the inflammatory mediators' levels.

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy on pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised placebo-controlled trials.

Objectives: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is not recommended in major knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treatment guidelines. We investigated whether a LLLT dose-response relationship exists in KOA.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Reliability of pain pressure threshold algometry in persons with conservatively managed wrist fractures.

Objective: Wrist fracture is a common injury in Norway. Pressure algometry is widely used to quantify patients' pain threshold in various anatomical locations. The aim of this study was to explore the reliability of pain pressure threshold (PPT) algometry in persons with conservatively managed distal radius fractures.

Effects of photobiomodulation therapy on inflammatory mediators in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain: Protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is ranked as one of the most prevalent health conditions. It is likely that some inflammatory mediators could be associated with pain and disability in these patients. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a non-pharmacological therapy often used in patients with LBP and one of the possible mechanisms of action of therapy is modulate inflammatory mediators.

High doses of laser phototherapy can increase proliferation in melanoma stromal connective tissue.

It is well established that laser phototherapy (LP) is contraindicated directly over cancer cells, due to its bio modulatory effects in cell and blood vessel proliferation. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of typical low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high intensity laser therapy (HILT) and an in-between dose of 9 J on collagen fibers and blood vessels content in melanoma tumors (B16F10) implanted in mice. Melanoma tumor cells were injected in male Balb C mice which were distributed in four groups: control (no irradiated) or irradiated by 3, 9, or 21 J (150; 450, or 1050 J/cm).

Comparison of Photobiomodulation and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Tissue Repair on Collagenase-Induced Achilles Tendon Inflammation in Rats.

Background: Tendinopathy is characterized by pain, edema, and structural changes in tendon tissue.

Objective: In this animal study we decided to compare the short- and medium-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), dexamethasone, and diclofenac on inflammation and tendon tissue repair in collagenase-induced tendinitis.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred five female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups.

Long-term results of a randomized, controlled, double-blind study of low-level laser therapy before exercises in knee osteoarthritis: laser and exercises in knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: To assess the long-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), in combination with strengthening exercises in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Design: Follow-up results at three and six months in a previously published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Specialist Rehabilitation Services.

Achilles Tendon Penetration for Continuous 810 nm and Superpulsed 904 nm Lasers Before and After Ice Application: An In Situ Study on Healthy Young Adults.

Background And Objective: There is a lack of knowledge about the influence tissue temperature may have on laser light penetration and tendon structure. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether penetration of laser energy in human Achilles tendons differed before and after ice pack application.

Materials And Methods: The Achilles tendons (n = 54) from 27 healthy young adults were irradiated with two class 3B lasers (810 nm 200 mW continuous mode laser and a 904 nm 60 mW superpulsed mode laser).

Penetration Time Profiles for Two Class 3B Lasers in In Situ Human Achilles at Rest and Stretched.

Background And Objective: The majority of studies investigating penetration of laser light are performed in vitro on skin flaps, with measures of immediate penetration depth and energy loss. The aim of this study was to investigate the penetration time profiles for two different lasers used in low-level laser therapy, during 150 sec of exposure both in stretched and relaxed human Achilles in situ.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-four Achilles tendons from 17 healthy volunteers were irradiated by an 810 nm, 200 mW, continuous- and a 904 nm, 60 mW, super-pulsed laser.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Cryotherapy as Mono- and Adjunctive Therapies for Achilles Tendinopathy in Rats.

Background And Objective: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and cryotherapy are widely used treatments in the acute phase of tendon injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of these two treatments on tendon inflammation and mechanical properties.

Materials And Methods: Six groups of six Wistar rats were used in this study.

Evaluation of the Proliferative Effects Induced by Low-Level Laser Therapy in Bone Marrow Stem Cell Culture.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of laser irradiation on dog bone marrow stem cells.

Background Data: Low doses of low-level red laser positively affect the viability of mesenchymal stem cells, and also increase proliferation.

Methods: Low-level laser (wavelength, 660 nm; power output, 50 mW), was applied to dog bone marrow stem cell cultures (DBMSC).

The efficacy of low-level laser therapy for shoulder tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background And Purpose: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is proposed as a treatment for tendinopathies. This is the first systematic review focusing solely on LLLT treatment effects in shoulder tendinopathy.

Methods: A systematic review with meta-analysis and primary outcome measures pain relief on 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and relative risk for global improvement.

Superpulsed low-level laser therapy protects skeletal muscle of mdx mice against damage, inflammation and morphological changes delaying dystrophy progression.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of preventive treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on progression of dystrophy in mdx mice.

Methods: Ten animals were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups treated with superpulsed LLLT (904 nm, 15 mW, 700 Hz, 1 J) or placebo-LLLT at one point overlying the tibialis anterior muscle (bilaterally) 5 times per week for 14 weeks (from 6th to 20th week of age). Morphological changes, creatine kinase (CK) activity and mRNA gene expression were assessed in animals at 20th week of age.

Skin penetration time-profiles for continuous 810 nm and Superpulsed 904 nm lasers in a rat model.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the rat skin penetration abilities of two commercially available low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices during 150 sec of irradiation.

Background Data: Effective LLLT irradiation typically lasts from 20 sec up to a few minutes, but the LLLT time-profiles for skin penetration of light energy have not yet been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-two skin flaps overlaying rat's gastrocnemius muscles were harvested and immediately irradiated with LLLT devices.

An experimental study of low-level laser therapy in rat Achilles tendon injury.

The aim of this controlled animal study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) administered 30 min after injury to the Achilles tendon. The study animals comprised 16 Sprague Dawley male rats divided in two groups. The right Achilles tendons were injured by blunt trauma using a mini guillotine, and were treated with LLLT or placebo LLLT 30 min later.

The thermal effects of therapeutic lasers with 810 and 904 nm wavelengths on human skin.

Objective: To investigate the effect of therapeutic infrared class 3B laser irradiation on skin temperature in healthy participants of differing skin color, age, and gender.

Background: Little is known about the potential thermal effects of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) irradiation on human skin.

Methods: Skin temperature was measured in 40 healthy volunteers with a thermographic camera at laser irradiated and control (non-irradiated) areas on the skin.

Low-level laser irradiation (InGaAlP-660 nm) increases fibroblast cell proliferation and reduces cell death in a dose-dependent manner.

Background And Objective: Impaired cell metabolism and increased cell death in fibroblast cells are physiological features of chronic tendinopathy. Although several studies have shown that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at certain parameters has a biostimulatory effect on fibroblast cells, it remains uncertain if LLLT effects depend on the physiological state.

Study Design/material And Methods: High-metabolic immortal cell culture and primary human keloid fibroblast cell culture were used in this study.

Increased palpation tenderness and muscle strength deficit in the prediction of tendon hypertrophy in symptomatic unilateral shoulder tendinopathy: an ultrasonographic study.

Objective: In asymptomatic, normal tendons, the difference in tendon thickness between sides is less than 15%. In this study, three tests were used to examine differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic shoulders.

Design: Cross-sectional study.