Effect of low-level laser therapy on neurorehabilitation: A narrative review

Abstract

Low-power laser therapy (LLLT) has become a common practice in medicine, particularly in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The purpose of this review study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on neurological disorders such as peripheral nerve regeneration, spinal cord injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases. Laser therapy increases ATP synthesis and reduces oxidative stress by improving the efficiency of the electron transport chain in the mitochondria. It also activates transcription factors, suppresses inflammatory factors, and influences neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor. This review study affirms the beneficial effect of LLLT on neurorehabilitation since LLLT produced a significant amount of structural and cellular change. The results of this review suggest that laser therapy may be a viable approaches for treatment the neurological disorders.