Table 2 Characteristics of the included studies outcomes, light source parameters and combination treatment, in peripheral nervous system disorders in clinical studies
Author | Disease category | Disorder | Sex/Age | Combination therapy | Laser/(LED) | Treatment duration | Key outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aghamohammadi et al., 2012 [42] | Pain | Trigeminal neuralgia | NM / 30–70 | Ganglion block | 890 nm | 6 months 12 sessions | Decreased the severity of pain, dose of carbamazepine; Increased the period of a pain-free state |
Ebrahimi et al., 2018 [43] | Pain | Trigeminal neuralgia | M, F / NM | Carbamazepine | 810 nm, 6.36 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (3/week) | Decreased pain severity with time |
Stergioulas 2007 [44] | Pain | Lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 45.2 ± 2.86 | Exercises | 904 nm, 2.4 J/cm2 | 8 weeks 12 sessions | A significant decrease of pain at rest, palpation and pain on isometric testing, middle finger test and pain during grip strength test; A significant increase in the wrist range of motion |
Celik et al., 2019 [45] | Pain | Lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 48.2 ± 9.4 | Exercises | 904 nm, 2.4 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Improved elbow extension, shoulder flexion strength, VAS, movement and handgrip strength |
Ali et al., 2021 [46] | Pain | lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 44.9 ± 7.3 | Ultrasound | 808, 915 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 12 sessions | Improved the VAS, DASH score and hand grip-strength |
Amanat et al., 2013 [47] | Pain | Orofacial pain | M, F / 47.22 | Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Muscle relaxants, Carbamazepine | 980 nm, 12.73 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (3/week) | There was no significant additional level of efficacy for the laser in the management of common orofacial pain based on VAS outcomes |
Ceylan et al., 2004 [48] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 34.05 ± 8.25 | Naproxen sodium, Phenbrobomate | 904 nm, 1.44 J/cm2 | 10 days | Increased the VAS values, 5-HIAA and 5-HT + 5-HTP excretion; Reduced pain |
Sumen et al., 2015 [49] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 41.66 ± 9.26 | Exercises | 670 nm, 4 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | It was found that pain (according VAS Index) was significantly lower in combination therapy group in comparison to exercise only |
El-sharkawy et al., 2018 [50] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / NM | Ultrasound, Hot pack, Exercise | 905, 808 nm, 16 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Increased the quality of life, pressure pain threshold for temporomandibular join, masseter and anterior temporalis muscles |
Mansourian et al., 2019 [51] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 18–60 | Fluoxetine, Clonazepam | 810 nm, 2 J/cm2 | 5 weeks (2/week) | Improved pain and limitation in lateral movements |
Gur et al., 2003 [52] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 35.2 ± 10.51 | Exercise | 1 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Laser therapy seemed to be an effective method in reducing pain and functional disability. However, does not bring any additional benefits to exercise therapy |
Djavid et al., 2007 [53] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 38 | Exercise | 810 nm, 27 J/cm2 | 6 weeks (2/week) | No greater effect of laser therapy plus exercise compared with exercise for any outcome; Reduced pain; Increased lumbar range of movement on the Schober Test and active flexion; Reduced disability |
Ammar 2015 [54] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 42.1 ± 12.8 | Exercise | 850 nm | 6 weeks (2/week) | Improved functional disability, pain and lumbar ROM |
Koldaş Doğan et al., 2017 [55] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 52.14 ± 12.13 | Hot pack | 850 nm, 10 J/cm2 650, 785, 980 nm, 3 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (5/week) | Improved pain severity, patient’s and physician’s global assessment, ROM and MODQ scores; Laser therapy provided more improvements in lateral flexion measurements and disability of the patients |
Mohammad Ezz El Dien et al., 2007 [56] | Pain | Primary periarthritis shoulder | M, F / 49.2 ± 5.9 | Electromagnetic field, Exercise | 880 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 2 months (3/week) | Improved all shoulder parameters (pain, tenderness, range of motion and function) |
Otadi et al., 2012 [57] | Pain | Shoulder tendonitis | F / 49.48 ± 8.5 | Ultrasound, Exercise | 830 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 10 sessions (3/week) | Improved VAS, TSS, CMS and the muscle strengths |
Eslamian et al., 2012 [58] | Pain | Rotator cuff tendinitis | M, F / 50.16 ± 12.10 | Physiotherapy | 830 nm, 4 J/cm2 | 10 sessions (3/week) | Improved pain (reduction in VAS average) and shoulder disability problems; Improved the patient’s function; No additional advantages were detected in increasing shoulder joint range of motion in comparison to other physical agents |
Dogan et al., 2010 [59] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | M, F / 53.59 ± 11.34 | Cold pack | 850 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 14 sessions (5/week) | Improved pain severity, range of motion except internal and external rotation and SPADI scores |
Abrisham et al., 2011 [60] | Pain | Subacromial syndrome | M, F / 52.2 ± 5.7 | Exercise | 890 nm, 2–4 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Significant post-treatment improvements were achieved in all parameters, in all movements; There was a substantial difference between the groups in VAS scores; Improved the shoulder ROM |
Pekyavas et al., 2016 [61] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | NM / 51.1 ± 14.3 | Manual therapy, Kinesio taping, Exercise | 1064 nm | 15 sessions (3/week) | Minimized pain and disability; Increased ROM and SPADI |
Alfredo et al., 2021 [62] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | NM / 51.9 ± 8.7 | Exercise | 904 nm | 8 weeks (3/week) | Improved shoulder function; Reduced pain intensity and medication intake |
Ökmen et al., 2017 [63] | Pain | Chronic shoulder pain | M, F / 53 | Exercise | 1064 nm, 100 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (7/week) | Compared to the values of PRT and PST at months 1, 3, and 6, VAS, SPADI, and NHP values were lower |
Teixeira et al., 2022 [64] | Pain | Chronic neck/shoulder pain | M, F / 32.78 ± 9.99 | Magnetic field | 905, 875, 640 nm | 3 weeks (2/week) | Reduced pain intensity (reduction in VAS) in all time points tested; There was no difference in the ROM outcomes |
Kolu et al., 2018 [65] | Pain | Chronic lumbar radiculopathy | M, F / 53.40 ± 10.57 | Hot pack, Exercise | 12, 120 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Decreased pain variation and functionality (VAS and ODI) |
Stasinopoulos et al., 2009 [66] | Pain | Lateral elbow tendinopathy | NM / 18 ≤  | Exercise | 904 nm, 130 mW/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Decline in pain; Increase in function compared with baseline has been observed |
Liu et al., 2014 [67] | Pain | Patellar tendinopathy | M / 18–23 | Exercise | 810 nm, 1592 mW/cm2 | 4 weeks (6/week) | Reduced pain (VAS); Improved function capacity of knee, muscle strength and endurance |
Stergioulas et al., 2008 [68] | Pain | Chronic achilles tendinopathy | M, F / 30.1 ± 4.8 | Exercise | 820 nm, 60 mW/cm2 | 8 weeks 12 sessions | Combination therapy accelerates clinical recovery as tested by VAS; Power densities below 100 mW/cm2 seems to be important for obtaining good results |
Saayman et al., 2011 [69] | Pain | Cervical facet dysfunction | F / 18–40 | Chiropractic joint manipulation therapy | 830 nm, 151 mW/cm2 | 3 weeks (2/week) | The combination therapy was more effective than either of the 2 on their own; Pain disability in everyday life, lateral flexion, and rotation was the main outcomes |
Gu et al., 2017 [70] | Pain | Cervical spondylosis | M, F / 35—71 | Ozone therapy | NM | NM | Decreased preoperative neck and shoulder pain (VAS score) at 1 month period |
Venosa et al., 2019 [71] | Pain | Cervical spondylosis | M, F / 49.76 | Exercise | 1064 nm | 6 weeks (2/week) | Increased cervical ROM; Reduced pain; There was a significant difference in NDI scores; Analgesic effects; Improved function in patients affected by cervical spondylosis |
Yilmaz et al., 2020 [72] | Pain | Cervical pain | M, F / 18–60 | Exercise | 1064 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Improved cervical range of motion and quality of life by reducing pain (ROM, VAS and NPADS values) |
De Carli et al., 2013 [73] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | NM | Piroxicam | 808 nm, 100 J/cm2 | 10 days | Combination therapy was not more effective than single therapies (evaluated by VAS) |
Elgohary et al., 2018 [74] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 60.75 ± 5.09 | Exercise | 950 nm, 7.6 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Improvement in VAS, VCS and UW-QOL questionnaire results |
Brochado et al., 2018 [75] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 46.5 ± 14.4 | Manual therapy | 808 nm, 13.3 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Reduced depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and physical symptoms; Promoted pain relief; Improved mandibular function and jaw disabilities |
Ahmad et al., 2018 [76] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 37.56 ± 8.26 | Ultrasound, Hot pack, Exercise | 905, 808 nm, 16 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Decreased limitations in daily functions; Increased pressure pain threshold for masseter and anterior temporalis muscles |
Panhoca et al., 2019 [77] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 23—66 | Ultrasound | 808 nm, 32.832 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Synergistic treatment was effective in improving the oral health-related quality of life (assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile) |
Panhóca et al., 2021 [78] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 18—55 | Ultrasound | 808 nm, 684 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Laser combined with ultrasound are effective in the treatment of pain as assessed by analogue pain scale; Assessment of range of motion and assessment of quality of life |
Panhóca et al., 2021 [78] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 18—55 | Vacuum therapy | 808 nm, 684 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Laser combined with vacuum are effective in the treatment of pain as assessed by analogue pain scale; Assessment of range of motion and assessment of quality of life |
Dias et al., 2022 [79] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 32.16 ± 8.60 | Orofacial myofunctional therapy | 830 nm, 51 and 34 J/cm2 | 13 sessions | Improved the degree of pain (VAS) and self-perception of the OHQOL |
Matsutani et al., 2007 [80] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 44 | Exercise | 830 nm 3 J/cm2 | 5 weeks (2/week) | Pain reduction; Higher pain threshold at tender points; Lower mean FIQ scores; Higher SF-36 mean scores |
da Silva et al., 2018 [81] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / ≥ 35 | Exercise | 905 nm, 0.75 J/cm2 (640 nm, 5 J/cm2 and 875 nm, 5.83 J/cm2) | 10 weeks (2/week) | Improved pain threshold in several tender points; A more substantial effect was noticed for the combined therapy; Pain relief was accomplished by improving VAS and FIQ scores as well as quality of life |
Germano Maciel et al., 2018 [82] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 30—50 | Exercise | 808 nm, 142.85 J/cm2 | 8 weeks (3/week) | Reduced pain; Improved function, muscular performance, depression, and quality of life; The benefic effects of functional exercise were not improved by combination with LLLT |
Aquino Junior et al., 2021 [83] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 30—65 | Ultrasound | 660 nm | 2 to 10 weekly sessions | Combination therapy was more efficient in improvement in the pain of fibromyalgia as tested by FIQ and VAS |
Paolillo et al., 2015 [84] | Pain | Osteoarthritis | F / 68 ± 6 | Ultrasound, Exercise | 808 nm, 7 J/cm2 | 3 months (1/week) | Grip strength did not differ; Significant decrease of the pain sensitivity |
Gavish et al., 2021 [85] | Pain | Knee pain | M, F / > 18 | Physiotherapy | 810 nm, 142.5 and 180 J/cm2 (660/850 nm, 3 J/cm2) | 4 weeks (2/week) | Reduced pain (VAS); Improved the Kujala score |
Murakami et al., 1993 [86] | Paresis | Facial palsy | M, F / 41.8 ± 4.7 | Ganglion block | 830 nm | NM | The combination therapy showed a similar overall recovery of facial palsy to ganglion block |
Yamada et al., 1995 [87] | Paresis | Facial palsy | NM / 45.1 ± 14.0 | Corticosteroid | 830 nm 36.7, 38.2 and 127.4 J/cm2 | 3–10 weeks | Combination therapy is an ideal adjunct treatment in cases that corticosteroid therapy is mineable |
Ordahan 2017 [88] | Paresis | Bell’s palsy | M, F / 41 ± 9.7 | Exercise | 830 nm, 10 J/cm2 | 6 weeks (3/week) | Improved functional facial movements through the FDI; Decreased recovery times for patients |
Naeser et al., 2002 [89] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 53.5 | Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation | 632.8, 904 nm, 1.81 J/cm2 | 3 to 4 weeks (3/week) | Significant decreases in MPQ score, median nerve Sensory latency, and Phalen and Tinel signs |
Dincer et al., 2009 [90] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 52.2 ± 9.1 | Splinting | 904 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Reduced symptom severity and pain; Increased patient satisfaction using BQ SSS, BQ FSS, VAS, ENMG testing |
Yagci et al., 2009 [91] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 49.47 ± 6.32 | Splinting | 830 nm | 10 sessions | Improved both clinical and NCS parameters (median motor nerve distal latency, median sensory nerve conduction velocities, BQ SSS, and BQ FCS); Provided better outcomes on NCS |
Fusakul et al., 2014 [92] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 50.70 ± 1.39 | Splinting | 810 nm | 5 weeks (3/week) | Improved hand grip strength, distal motor latency of the median nerve and electroneurophysiological parameters at 5 and 12-week follow-up |
Tabatabai et al., 2016 [93] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 48.60 | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation | 808 nm, 6.5 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Reduced the mean scores of MPQ, VAS, pain severity, and DASH questionnaires |
Güner et al., 2018 [94] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 44.33 ± 9.21 | Kinesiotaping | 685 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (5/week) | Improved VNS daytime, VNS night, FPS, HGS, BQ SSS, BQ FCS parameters at 3th and 12th weeks compared to before treatment; Improved mMA, mSNCV, and mSDL parameters at the 12th week (from ENMG parameters) |
Bartkowiak et al., 2019 [95] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 46.8 ± 10.8 | Exercise | 830 nm, 9 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Declined sensory impairments and pain; Improved hand grip strength, VAS, Boston Questionnaire results, CTS SSS and CTS FSS |