Transcranial photobiomodulation therapy associated with cardiorespiratory rehabilitation in spastic subjects.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cardiorespiratory rehabilitation (CR) and transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) on exercise tolerance (ET), heart rate variability (HRV), and peripheral muscle activity in individuals with spasticity. Fifteen participants with spasticity were randomly assigned to two groups: the tPBM group (tPBMG) consisted of eight volunteers who underwent tPBM (on mode) and CR, while the control group (CG) consisted of seven volunteers who underwent simulated tPBM (off mode) and CR. The CR program included 12weeks of treatment, twice a week for one hour, involving aerobic exercises and lower limb strengthening. For tPBM, a cluster with three lasers (λ = 680nm, 808nm), with a power of 100 mW/laser and energy of 36J, applied to the F7, F8, and Fpz points. The following parameters were evaluated after 8 and 12weeks: ET, HRV, and surface electromyography (EMG) of the rectus femoris muscle during orthostasis (ORT), isometric squatting (ISOM), and isotonic squatting (ISOT). Both groups showed a 40% increase in ET for the CG and a 30% increase for the tPBMG. The CG had more pronounced parasympathetic modulation alterations during post-exercise effort and recovery compared to the tPBMG. The EMG results showed that the tPBMG exhibited progressive improvement in muscle activity during ISOM and ISOT, as well as a decrease in the interlimb difference. In conclusion, both CR and tPBMG demonstrated improvements in ET. However, tPBMG specifically showed promising effects on HRV modulation and peripheral muscle electrical activity, providing additional benefits compared to CR alone.