Clinical Efficacy of High-Intensity Laser Therapy on Lateral Epicondylitis Patients

Abstract

Objectives: Recently, high-intensity laser therapy has been used in the therapeutic protocols for pain management. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy versus other different modalities for improving lateral epicondylitis symptoms. Methodology: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on prospective randomized controlled trials from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct until June 2021 using relevant key words. We analyzed the data using Review Manager software (RevMan 5.4). Results: Six randomized controlled trials with 344 patients were included. There is low-quality evidence that high-intensity laser therapy generates a small reduction on pain intensity compared with a control group either during activity (mean difference = −0.98, 95% confidence interval = −1.6 to −0.35, P = 0.002) or during rest (mean difference = −0.98, 95% confidence interval = −1.68 to −0.09, P = 0.03). In addition, there is low-quality evidence that high-intensity laser therapy provides small improvements in quality of life (physical component) compared with control (mean difference = 9.76, 95% confidence interval = 2.69 to 16.83, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: High-intensity laser therapy is an effective therapeutic modality to reduce pain and improve quality of life (36-item short form health survey physical component) in patients experiencing persistent symptoms of lateral epicondylitis. However, grip strength, hand function, and quality of life (36-item short form health survey) did not show significant differences between high-intensity laser therapy and other therapies.

Effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy added to a physical therapy program for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome - a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…HILT stands out for its thermal effects, coverage of larger treatment areas, and energy delivery in a shorter time, thus achieving its therapeutic effects more quickly (following Roscoe Bunsen's Reciprocity law) [13 −15]. Studies regarding the benefits of LILT in myofascial pain and HILT in musculoskeletal pain provide a theoretical basis for considering high-power lasers as a treatment for MFPS [13][14][15]38,39].…”

“…In contrast, HILT is supported for musculoskeletal pain management, including myofascial pain leading to analgesia and increased local circulation. However, few studies have supported its efficacy as a resource in MFPS management [8,[13][14][15]19]. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of HILT in a physical therapy program for the treatment of myofascial pain.…”

Effect of high-intensity laser therapy in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Its analgesic foundations are related to the modulation of the in ammatory process, the release of endogenous opioid peptides (b-endorphins), and decreased nerve conduction velocity (which occurs with high potencies) [11,12,17,18]. In contrast, HILT is being used for the management of musculoskeletal pain, reporting analgesic bene ts in conditions such as osteoarthritis, epicondylalgia, and low back pain [16, [19][20][21][22]. Studies on the bene ts of LLLT in NP and HILT in musculoskeletal pain provide a theoretical framework for considering lasers class IV as a treatment for chronic nonspeci c NP.…”