Abstract
Purpose:This systematic review update evaluated low level laser therapy (LLLT) for adults with neck pain.Methods:Computerized searches (root up to Feb 2012) included pain, function/disability, quality of life (QoL) and global perceived effect (GPE). GRADE, effect-sizes, heterogeneity and meta-regression were assessed.Results:Of 17 trials, 10 demonstrated high risk of bias. For chronic neck pain, there was moderate quality evidence (2 trials, 109 participants) supporting LLLT over placebo to improve pain/disability/QoL/GPE up to intermediate-term (IT). For acute radiculopathy, cervical osteoarthritis or acute neck pain, low quality evidence suggested LLLT improves ST pain/function/QoL over a placebo. For chronic myofascial neck pain (5 trials, 188 participants), evidence was conflicting; a meta-regression of heterogeneous trials suggests super-pulsed LLLT increases the chance of a successful pain outcome.Conclusions:We found diverse evidence using LLLT for neck pain. LLLT may be beneficial for chronic neck pain/function/QoL. Larger long-term dosage trials are needed.
Highlights
IntroductionNeck pain can be classified as simple "non-specific" neck pain (i.e. sprain/strain) described as pain without specific identifiable etiology and “specific” neck pain with identifiable etiology (i.e. radiculopathy) [1, 2]
Description of the ConditionNeck pain can be classified as simple "non-specific" neck pain described as pain without specific identifiable etiology and “specific” neck pain with identifiable etiology [1, 2]
The subjects of included studies were adults (18 years of age or older) with acute, sub-acute (30 to 90 days) or chronic neck pain categorized as simple non-specific mechanical neck pain including sprains and strains [46], neck pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and degenerative changes [47], cervicogenic headache [48], whiplash [49, 50], and radiculopathy [48]
Summary
Neck pain can be classified as simple "non-specific" neck pain (i.e. sprain/strain) described as pain without specific identifiable etiology and “specific” neck pain with identifiable etiology (i.e. radiculopathy) [1, 2]. According to the Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force, the incidence of neck pain was 150 to 200 per 1000 cases per year, the annual worldwide prevalence varied from 12.1% to 71.5% and neck pain limiting activities was 11.5% [3, 4]. Neck pain is costly to the patient and society. In Quebec, annual prevalence of neck pain in the working population is close to 43% in men and 54% in women [5]. Disabling neck pain is in 10% of men and 18% of women in this population. Over 11% of Ontario workers claimed lost-time benefits due to neck pain [6]
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