Laser Therapy In Treatment Research Articles

Myofascial origin of shoulder pain: A literature review

Shoulder pain is a common problem imposing a considerable burden on the affected person and society. Since interventions targeting traditional musculoskeletal conditions are usually only moderately effective, myofascial origin can be suggested as an alternative possible source of shoulder pain. To examine current evidence associated with myofascial origin of shoulder pain, with emphasis on diagnosis, prevalence and treatment efficacy. PubMed, Google Scholar and PEDro databases were searched from inception until December 2013 for terms relating to myofascial pain in the shoulder area. Two studies showed a high reliability of the following diagnostic characteristics during palpation: presence or absence of the taut band, spot tenderness, jump sign, pain recognition and referred pain sensation. Three prevalence studies showed a significant greater number of active myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on the painful shoulder side. Reduced muscle strength, accelerated muscle fatigue, inconsistent muscle activation pattern under load and reduced antagonist reciprocal inhibition were found in subjects with latent MTrPs in four observational studies. Six interventional studies demonstrated the effectiveness of dry needling, myofascial manipulation, ischemic compression, laser therapy and multimodal treatment. MTrPs in shoulder muscles is a common condition among patients with shoulder complaints and can be reliably diagnosed by palpation. The reviewed interventions seem to be effective in reducing pain, increasing range of motion and improving function of the painful shoulder.

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers - a sham controlled, split mouth follow up study.

Apthous ulcers, commonly referred to as canker sores, are the most common ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa. These are usually painful and are associated with redness, and occasional bleeding from the affected area(s). The aims of treatment are to reduce pain and healing time. To assess clinically the efficacy of Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on recurrent aphthous ulcers for reduction of pain, lesion size, and healing time and to compare the results with those of a sham control group. A total of 30 patients who presented with two separate aphthous ulcers were included in the study. Each lesion was randomly allotted to either the active treatment group or the sham control group. Lesions which were included in the active group were treated with LLLT in a single sitting, which was divided into four sessions. Lesions in the sham control group were subjected to similar treatment without activating the LASER unit. Each patient was evaluated for pain, lesion size, and complete healing at the following intervals; immediately post LLLT and one day, two days, and three days follow up. Statistical Analysis : The Student's t-test was used for statistical evaluation of the data. Complete resolution of the ulcers in the active group was 3.05 ± 1.10 days as compared to 8.90 ± 2.45 days in the sham control group. Immediately, post the LLLT application, complete pain relief was observed in 28 of the 30 patients of the active group. LLLT was effective in relieving pain and reducing the healing time during the treatment of aphthous ulcers.

HYPOTHYROIDISM AND PREGNANCY

The functional status of the thyroid gland (TG). Inpregnant women with a hypothyroidism. Using laser therapy treatment with thyroid contributes to lowering titer antibodies to TPO and the quality of TSH.

An Automated Approach to Differentiate a Normal eye from a Defective Eye

Detection of basic differentiating characteristics of eye diseases from the images of the retina can be a good approach as a low-cost method for broad-bas ed initial screening. For example early diabetic retinopathy detection enables application of laser therapy treatment in order to prevent or delay loss of vision. The paper has referenced Diabetic retinopathy and Retinitis pigmentosa for analysis. Automated approach for detection of microaneurysms in digital color fundus photographs helps ophthalmologist to detect the emergence of its initial symptoms and determine the next action step for the patient. A similar mechanism for automated early disease detection method with respect to the features of the normal eye is proposed. The detection algorithm features identification of black pigments like minute features, microaneurysm and exudate detection and these features extracted can prove to a greater extent as ready instances for defectiveness. A number of images along with the feedback and consultation from the ophthalmologist in this area of medical science has proved to be a great help towards the observation as derived from this mechanism and discussed in the later end of this paper. The proposed mechanism can be extended up to the limit of supervised learning so as to automate the practical feedbacks as obtained from the practitioners.

Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a neuropathic sequelae in 8% to 27% of individuals with prior varicella zoster virus infection and herpes zoster resulting in retrograde demyelination, neurotoxic reactive oxygen species levels, and proinflammatory cytokine activation of microglia. Pain management strategies are well documented, but not always effective. Laser therapy has shown utility in nerve injury-related pain disorders and was considered a potentially efficacious intervention. Case report. Class 4 therapeutic laser treatment was applied with a dual wavelength GaAlAs (810 nm), GaAl (980 nm) laser, 2 to 4 W, 50% duty cycle, 10 Hz pulse active phase, 2.5 cm diameter aperture, scanning technique with skin contact, 10-minute treatment, 600 to 1200 J total, energy density of 3.5 to 7.1 J/cm average per session, and power density from 0.41 to 0.82 W/cm for 8 treatments. Outcome measures included the Neuropathy Pain Scale Questionnaire as the primary outcome measure, with the Numeric Pain Scale and total area of allodynia touch sensitivity as secondary outcome measurements. The author reports a case of PHN of 15-year duration resistant to prior interventions. Weekly laser therapy treatment over 8 weeks resulted in reduced 0 to 10 Numeric Pain Scale score from 8 to 0, Neuropathy Pain Scale Questionnaire total score from 39 to 4, and allodynia over a 60 cm surface area of the upper trunk and posterior arm totally resolved, with resolution continued at 14-month follow-up. Theoretically, laser therapy induced tissue changes in this case occurring at and below the skin surface altering inflammatory and excitatory peripheral mechanisms noted to take place in the PHN patient. Peripheral nociceptor firing must be brought back to normal thresholds to resolve such chronic neuropathic pain and inhibit the possible central sensitization component. Anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, nitric oxide, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and other mechanisms stimulated by laser therapy as noted in medical literature may be central to the favorable response seen in this patient. Controlled clinical trials of class 4 laser therapy in the PHN patient population with similar doses would be beneficial to determine if this is an effective treatment option in PHN.

The usage of intravesical laser therapy in chronic cystitis combined treatment

The purpose of the research. Evaluating the effectiveness of intravesical laser therapy in the treatment of chronic cystitis. Patient and methods. 76 women with chronic recurrent cystitis were appointed standard antibacterial together with intravesical laser therapy (10 sessions). The parameters of the laser radiation were selected individually depending on the severity of pain syndrome.The duration of laser irradiationwas from 3 to 5 minutes. Results. Urinary frequency and intensity of pain syndrome decreased in 1.8 times and 2.2 times to 3-month and in 2 and 2.4 times to 6 month after the end of treatment, respectively. During the observation the relapses of chronic cystitis developed only at 3 (3,9%) of 76 treated patients. Conclusion. The research results showed the possibility and expediency of inclusion of intravesical laser therapy in complex treatment of patients with chronic recurrent cystitis.

Laser therapy treatment of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type II: two case reports

IntroductionPhacomatosis pigmentovascularis is a rare congenital condition characterized by vascular malformation associated with extensive pigmented nevi. Even though it forms a large, prominent skin lesion, therapy for phacomatosis pigmentovascularis is rarely discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type II treated with combined laser therapy using Q-switched alexandrite and long-pulsed dye lasers.Case presentationsIn the first of two cases reported here, a 2-week-old Japanese baby girl was given a diagnosis of phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type II and Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome because of port-wine stains, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, and aberrant Mongolian spots over her trunk and limbs. After five laser therapy sessions under general anesthesia, her aberrant Mongolian spots and port-wine stains have improved. But interestingly, the cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita on the patient's back has improved without laser therapy.In the second case, a 4-month-old Japanese baby boy was referred to us because of port-wine stains, cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita, and aberrant Mongolian spots over his face, trunk and limbs. Phacomatosis pigmentovascularis type II was diagnosed and laser therapy was started. After three laser therapy sessions under general anesthesia, the aberrant Mongolian spots and port-wine stains have improved. The cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita on the baby's back, buttocks, and arms has faded somewhat without laser therapy.ConclusionsCombined laser therapy improved the phacomatosis pigmentovascularis skin lesions, but was not effective for the cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita with hemiatrophy. Cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita without atrophy can be expected to improve on its own. Our results will assist physicians considering how best to treat patients with phacomatosis pigmentovascularis.

EXUDATES DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION ALGORITHM OF DIABETIC PATIENTS' RETINA IMAGES

The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with long-term damage, dysfunction, and failure of different organs, especially the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. The regular examination of diabetic patients can potentially reduce the risk of vision impairment and in the last instance blindness. Early diabetic retinopathy detection enables application of laser therapy treatment in order to prevent or delay loss of vision. The diagnostics and detection of diabetic retinopathy is performed by specialized ophthalmologists manually and represents expensive procedure. Automatic exudates detection and retina images classification would be helpful for reducing diabetic retinopathy screening costs and encouraging regular examinations. We proposed the automated algorithm that applies mathematical modeling which enables light intensity levels emphasis, easier exudates detection, efficient and correct classification of retina images. The proposed algorithm is robust to various appearance changes of retinal fundus images which are usually processed in clinical environments.

Low-level laser therapy combined with platelet-rich plasma on the healing calcaneal tendon: a histological study in a rat model

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment alone (λ = 660 nm and λ = 830 nm) or associated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). We used 54 male rats divided into six groups, with nine animals each: group 1, partial tenotomy; group 2 (GII), PRP; group 3 (GIII): λ660 nm; group 4 (GIV), λ830 nm; group 5 (GV), PRP + λ660 nm; and group 6 (GVI), PRP + λ830 nm. The protocol used was power density 0.35 W/cm(2), energy 0.2 J, energy density 7.0 J/cm(2), time 20 s per irradiated point, and number of points 3. Animals in groups GII, GV, and GVI received treatment with PRP, consisting of a single dose of 0.2 mL directly into the surgical site, on top of the tenotomy. Animals were killed on the 13th day post-tenotomy and their tendons were surgically removed for a quantitative analysis using polarization microscopy. The percentages of collagen fibers of types I and III were expressed as mean ± SD. Higher values of collagen fibers type I were obtained for groups GV and GVI when compared with all other groups (p < 0.05), whereas groups GIII and GIV showed no significant difference between them (p > 0.05). For collagen type III, a significant difference was observed between GII and all other groups (p < 0.5), but no significant difference was found between GIII and GIV and between GV and GVI. Results showed that the deposition of collagen type I was higher when treatment with PRP and LLLT was combined, suggesting a faster regeneration of the tendon.

High power laser therapy treatment compared to simple segmental physical rehabilitation in whiplash injuries (1� and 2� grade of the Quebec Task Force classification) involving muscles and ligaments

whiplash is a frequent post traumatic pathology caused by muscle, tendon and capsular elements over stretching. The authors conducted a short term prospective randomised study to test the effectiveness of a multi wave High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT) versus conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation (PT) included in Italian tariff nomenclature performance physiotherapy Study Design: prospective randomised study (Level II). the authors identified 135 homogeneous patients with whiplash grade 1 - 2 of the Quebec Task Force classification (QTFC). INAIL, the Italian National Workers Insurance, based in Milan, was reliable source for identifying patients. All patients with whiplash injuries grade 1 or 2 QTFC, were eligible for the study, starting from April 28 2010 to September 30 2010. Patients referred to a Coordinator (C.M.) who applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients who agreed to participate were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Dates for initial treatment session were arranged, including cervical spine X-ray, and assessment. Each patient gave informed consent for participation and agreed to adopt only the study treatment for 6 weeks. Group A (84 patients) was treated with High Power Laser Therapy (HPLT), Group B (51 patients) received conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation (PT). During the treatment period, no other electro-medical therapy, analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs were allowed. All patients were assessed at baseline (T0) and at the end of the treatment period (T1) using a Visual Analogical Scale (VAS), (T2) the date of return to work was registered afterwards. there was a reduction in VAS pain scores at T1. Group A (VAS = 20) Group B (VAS = 34,8) (p =0.0048). Laser treatment allowed quick recovery and return to work (T2). Group A after 48 days against 66 days of Group B (p=0.0005). results suggest that High Power Laser Therapy - is an effective treatment in patients with whiplash injury, compared to conventional simple segmental physical rehabilitation.

In‐office treatment for dentin hypersensitivity: a systematic review and network meta‐analysis

Dentin hypersensitivity, caused by the exposure and patency of dentinal tubules, can affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic review and a network meta-analysis, comparing the effectiveness in resolving dentin hypersensitivity among different in-office desensitizing treatments. A literature search was performed with electronic databases and by hand until December 2011. The included trials were divided into six treatment groups as placebo, physical occlusion, chemical occlusion, nerve desensitization, laser therapy and combined treatments. The treatment effects between groups were estimated with standardized mean differences by using a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Forty studies were included. The standardized mean difference between placebo and physical occlusion was -2.57 [95% credible interval (CI): -4.24 to -0.94]; placebo versus chemical occlusion was -2.33 (95% CI: -3.65 to -1.04); placebo versus nerve desensitization was -1.72 (95% CI: -4.00 to 0.52); placebo versus laser therapy was -2.81 (95% CI: -4.41 to -1.24); placebo versus combined treatment was -3.47 (95% CI: -5.99 to -0.96). The comparisons of the five active treatments showed no significant differences. The results from network meta-analysis showed that most active treatment options had significantly better treatment outcome than placebo.

42 Acupuncture and laser therapy for treatment of complications following intra-arterial polychemotherapy

42 Acupuncture and laser therapy for treatment of complications following intra-arterial polychemotherapy

Clinical evaluation of low level laser therapy in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Clinical evaluation of low level laser therapy in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

The effect of low intensity laser therapy in treatment of erosive-atrophic oral lichen planus

The effect of low intensity laser therapy in treatment of erosive-atrophic oral lichen planus

Low-level laser therapy treatment in Crohn s disease lip ulcerations

Low-level laser therapy treatment in Crohn s disease lip ulcerations

How to Report Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)/Photomedicine Dose and Beam Parameters in Clinical and Laboratory Studies

Dose and beam parameters are critical for successful laser, LED, and other light therapy treatments; however, in our experience, researchers frequently make critical errors and omissions when submitting papers for publication. Journals frequently publish studies with missing data, mathematical errors, and no reported verification of beam parameters. This makes reproducibility impossible, and further confounds an already complex subject. This article is intended to be a reference document for non-physicist researchers conducting low-level laser therapy (LLLT) laboratory studies and clinical trials to help them design and report the beam and dose aspects of their trials. It provides a checklist to help LLLT researchers understand and report all the necessary parameters for a repeatable scientific study. It includes the eight most important beam parameters to report, which are: wavelength, power, irradiation time, beam area at the skin or culture surface (this is not necessarily the same as the aperture size), pulse parameters, anatomical location, number of treatments, and interval between treatments. The three commonly used dose parameters are time, energy, and energy density. In addition, more thorough reporting would include coherence, application technique (contact, projection, scanning, pressure), beam profile, and spectral width, as these may also be considered important. Beam power often decreases as the device warms up and as the device ages; therefore, this should be checked routinely during an experiment/trial. Measurements of beam area and beam power require special instruments and trained technicians to operate them. Power measurements should be taken before, after, and at frequent intervals during research trials. Reviewers should insist that the minimum eight most important beam parameters are included, and authors should take care to measure and record these accurately before, during, and after an experiment or clinical trial.

The immediate effects of 830-nm low-level laser therapy on the myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle in visual display terminal workers: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial

The aim of our study was to evaluate the immediate effects of an 830-nm Aluminium gallium arsenide (GaAlAs) laser, by examining the changes, in pressure-pain threshold (PPT) and tenderness at 3 kg of the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the upper trapezius muscle in visual display terminal (VDT) workers in comparison with placebo treatment. Thirty VDT workers (13 males, 17 females) with complaints of upper trapezius muscle were recruited. All participants were given either active GaAlAs laser (830 ㎚ wavelength, 450 ㎽, 9 J at point) or placebo GaAlAs laser, according to the double-blinded and placebo-controlled trial. Both active and placebo low-level laser therapy (LLLT) treatments showed no significant effect on PPT and tenderness at 3 kg. These results suggest that a higher dosage may be necessary to produce immediate effects when applying LLLT to the MTrP of relatively large muscles such as the upper trapezius muscle.

Comparison of Alvogyl, SaliCept Patch, and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Alveolar Osteitis

The aim of the present randomized prospective clinical trial was to compare the effects of alvogyl, the SaliCept patch, and low-level laser therapy in the management of alveolar osteitis. The study population included 104 patients who had been referred to our clinic with a complaint of alveolar osteitis. The patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: group 1, curettage and irrigation alone; group 2, curettage and irrigation followed by alvogyl applied directly to the socket; group 3, curettage and irrigation followed by a SaliCept patch applied directly to the socket; and group 4, curettage and irrigation followed by continuous-mode diode laser irradiation (808 nm, 100 mW, 60 seconds, 7.64 J/cm(2)). The treatment procedures were repeated after 3 days. The clinical signs and symptoms for each patient were recorded at diagnosis, at 3 days after the diagnosis, and at 7 days after the diagnosis. In addition, the pain intensity levels for each patient were recorded at diagnosis and daily for 7 days after the initial treatment. No statistically significant differences in the management of alveolar osteitis were observed between groups 2 and 3. However, the management of alveolar osteitis was significantly better in group 4 than in the other 3 groups. Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that acemannan in the form of the SaliCept patch is an acceptable alternative to alvogyl as a dressing for the management of alveolar osteitis. However, low-level laser therapy treatment at 7.64 J/cm(2) (0.1 W × 60 seconds = 6 J) performed superiorly to both SaliCept and alvogyl in managing alveolar osteitis in our study population.

Intraretinal deposition of triamcinolone acetonide after treatment of diabetic macular edema.

To report a case of intraretinal triamcinolone acetonide crystal deposition visualized both clinically and on optical coherence tomography after intravitreal injection for diabetic macular edema refractory to focal/grid laser treatment. Observational case report. A 46-year-old man with severe bilateral diabetic macular edema underwent focal/grid laser therapy, Avastin (Genetech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) injections, and multiple intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide treatments but remained refractory to treatment. Visual acuity continued to worsen, and clinical and optical coherence tomography examination revealed scattered hyperreflective deposits throughout the retina. Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide can deposit within the retina after treatment of refractory diabetic macular edema.

Low level laser therapy before eccentric exercise reduces muscle damage markers in humans

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) treatment before knee extensor eccentric exercise on indirect markers of muscle damage. Thirty-six healthy men were randomized in LLLT group (n = 18) and placebo group (n = 18). After LLLT or placebo treatment, subjects performed 75 maximal knee extensors eccentric contractions (five sets of 15 repetitions; velocity = 60° seg(-1); range of motion = 60°). Muscle soreness (visual analogue scale--VAS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) levels were measured prior to exercise, and 24 and 48 h after exercise. Muscle function (maximal voluntary contraction--MVC) was measured before exercise, immediately after, and 24 and 48 h post-exercise. Groups had no difference on kineanthropometric characteristics and on eccentric exercise performance. They also presented similar baseline values of VAS (0.00 mm for LLLT and placebo groups), LDH (LLLT = 186 IU/l; placebo = 183 IU/l), CK (LLLT = 145 IU/l; placebo = 155 IU/l) and MVC (LLLT = 293 Nm; placebo = 284 Nm). VAS data did not show group by time interaction (P = 0.066). In the other outcomes, LLLT group presented (1) smaller increase on LDH values 48 h post-exercise (LLLT = 366 IU/l; placebo = 484 IU/l; P = 0.017); (2) smaller increase on CK values 24 h (LLLT = 272 IU/l; placebo = 498 IU/l; P = 0.020) and 48 h (LLLT = 436 IU/l; placebo = 1328 IU/l; P < 0.001) post-exercise; (3) smaller decrease on MVC immediately after exercise (LLLT = 189 Nm; placebo = 154 Nm; P = 0.011), and 24 h (LLLT = 249 Nm; placebo = 205 Nm; P = 0.004) and 48 h (LLLT = 267 Nm; placebo = 216 Nm; P = 0.001) post-exercise compared with the placebo group. In conclusion, LLLT treatment before eccentric exercise was effective in terms of attenuating the increase of muscle proteins in the blood serum and the decrease in muscle force.