Studies

This pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of Class IV laser on postoperative pain relief following off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery, as a component of multimodal analgesia (MMA) technique. The authors conclude that Class IV laser can be an effective technique for postoperative analgesia following OPCABG surgery through sternotomy when included as a component of MMA technique. Download

Studies

Review the biological and clinical short-term effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in acute pain from soft-tissue injury. The authors conclude that there is strong evidence from 19 out of 22 controlled laboratory studies that LLLT can modulate inflammatory pain by reducing levels of biochemical markers, neutrophil cell influx, oxidative stress, and formation of edema and hemorrhage in a dose dependent manner. LLLT can modulate inflammatory processes in a dose-dependent manner and can be titrated to significantly reduce acute inflammatory pain in clinical settings.

Studies

Double-blind, sham controlled, crossover study to evaluate the effect of near-infrared (NIR) light on strength and recovery of healthy individuals during exercise. NIR laser (800 nm + 970 nm) was applied to the biceps brachii muscle prior to an elbow-flexion resistance-exercise protocol.  Preexercise to postexercise strength loss for the active laser treatment, although small, was less than with the sham treatment. NIR light therapy may be a beneficial, noninvasive modality for improving muscle function during rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury.

Studies

This study examines the 2012 publication by Joensen et al. Transmission through an anesthetized rat skin flap with a continuous wave 810 nm laser and a superpulsed 904 nm laser. The authors conclude that penetration through tissue of 810 nm wavelength light is greater than that of superpulsed 904 nm light. They suggest that the increase in intensity reported by Joensen et al. was due to insufficient warm-up of the superpulsed laser. Download

Studies

Pilot study to investigate treatments for chronic low back pain with three treatment groups: lidocaine injection, radiofrequency treatment and percutaneous photobiomodulation. Laser irradiation caused an immediate decrease in low back pain post-procedure similar to pain reduction caused by lidocaine injection. Both lidocaine injection and laser irradiation were more effective than radiofrequency treatment for immediate and longer term (1 month post-treatment) chronic back pain. Download

Studies

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on hand osteoarthritis. No placebo control in this study. LLLT was applied to the affected finger joints. LLLT was found to significantly reduce pain and ring size and increase range of motion after 5-7 treatments. Download

Studies

Report on the long-term (5-year) prospective follow-up of 50 unselected patients with discogenic back pain confirmed by MRI. Laser therapy (810 nm, 5.4 J per point, 20 mW/cm2) treatments regimen consisting of 3 x /week for 12 weeks. All but one patient improved in Ostwestry Disability Index score and improvement was maintained to 1 year and 5 year follow up.  

Studies

Review paper that gives an overview of low level laser therapy or photobiomodulation therapy including history and mechanisms.  

Studies

Pain, limitations in opening, asymmetrical jaw movements, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds are the most common findings in temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), which causes excruciating pain, inflammation of the surrounding muscles, posterior fibers, and synovial fluid. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of ultrasound heat therapy and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing TMD-related pain. Download

Studies

The main clinical phenomena in acute low back pain (LBP) with radiculopathy are pain and neurological disorders. Although some studies show that low level laser therapy (LLLT) has the ability to modulate inflammatory processes and relieve acute pain condition, the laser therapy dose protocol has not been yet completely established. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three different energy doses of LLLT in patients with acute LBP and radiculopathy. Download