[Laser therapy of elderly patients with pneumonia].

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of laser therapy included into the treatment of pneumonia in the elderly. A follow-up included the analysis of their clinical status and external respiratory function, pulmonary blood flow, and immunological parameters in 2 matched groups of pneumonia patients aged 60 to 72 years. Low-intensity laser therapy (transcutaneous sliding contact procedure) was used as part of routine treatment in one of the groups. The findings demonstrate that non-drug treatment had an undeniably positive impact. There was an earlier regress of clinical symptoms and a sound recovery of functional parameters. In the absence of side effects of this method, these data allow infrared laser therapy to be recommended for rehabilitation of elderly patients with pneumonia.