Laser therapy for fibromyositic rheumatisms.

Background And Objectives: The objectives of this study is to treat the cases of fibromyositic rheumatisms untreatable with other therapies. The authors chose defocalized laser beams because some experimental studies had showed their analgesic and anti-phlogistic effects on experimental phlogosis. Since 1980 non-surgical laser effects were often noncomparable because of the lack of common treatment protocols. This summarizes fifteen years of clinical observations as to the purpose of identifying some indications on laser treatment of defined pathologies included in fibromyositic rheumatism.

Study Design/materials And Methods: 846 patients with different types of fibromyositic rheumatisms were submitted to defocalized laser therapy from 1980 to 1995. Criteria for selection included age, sex, and pathological pictures. Control groups were used to compare results with those of traditional methods. Diodes and CO2 lasers were employed, to exploit the photothermic and photochemical effects of the laser radiations to the fullest extent.

Results: On the whole, results were positive in comparison with other methods both as regards recovery time and persistence of results. Results were evaluated on the basis of subjective (such as local pain) and objective (hypomotility, phlogosis) criteria.

Conclusions: Results obtained (approximately 2/3 of the patients benefited from the treatment) indicate that there are greater advantages in use of laser over other presently available methods. Standardalization of treatment protocols deserves further studies.