Short-Term Efficacy Comparison of High-Intensity and Low-Intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate and compare the short-term efficacies of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis (LE). Patients and methods: Sixty patients (16 males, 44 females; mean age 44.2±9.3 years; range, 18 to 65 years) with unilateral elbow pain were randomized into two groups as 30 patients treated with HILT (9 males and 21 females) and 30 patients treated with LILT (7 males and 23 females). The HILT (1,064 nm) and LILT (904 nm) were administered three times a week for three weeks, and each treatment was combined with an epicondylitis bandage. A visual analog scale (VAS), quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QDASH) questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and hand grip strength test were used to evaluate the patients before and three weeks after treatment. Results: The two groups had similar demographic characteristics, including age, sex, occupation, and body mass index (p>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the pretreatment VAS, QDASH, hand grip strength, and SF-36 scores (p>0.05). After three weeks, both groups showed significant improvements in all of the parameters (p<0.05). However, in the HILT group, the QDASH, hand grip strength, and SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) scores showed superior improvement compared to the LILT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Each treatment modality was found to be effective and safe for the short-term treatment of LE. However, the HILT exhibited more significant effects on the hand grip strength, QDASH, and SF-36 PCS scores than the LILT.

The effect of low-level red and near-infrared photobiomodulation on pain and function in tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials

“…Of the included studies, one investigated ( n = 1) Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) [ 53 ]; one investigated De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (DQT) ( n = 1) [ 51 ]; seven ( n = 7) investigated Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy (LET) [ 36 , 43 , 45 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 ]; one ( n = 1) investigated Patella Tendinopathy (PT) [ 38 ]; and seven ( n = 7) investigated Sub-acromial Syndrome/Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy (SAS/RT) [ 37 , 42 , 44 , 47 , 49 , 54 , 55 ] (Table 1 ).…”

“…Four weeks; 3. Three month follow up Kaydok 2020 [ 48 ] LET 59; 30/29 PBM + HILT VAS; QDASH Three weeks 1. Baseline; 2.…”

“…Additionally, there were a number of studies that did not report all necessary light application variables [ 36 , 42 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 54 , 55 ] (Tables 1 and 2 ). Other comparative interventions (“other interventions”) included: Phonophoresis and Iontophoresis [ 43 ]; ESWT [ 46 ]; High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) [ 48 ]; Passive Physiotherapy [ 37 ]; and US [ 51 ]; with the remaining studies using exercise alone [ 36 , 42 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 55 ], or exercise plus another intervention [ 45 , 54 ]. Only four studies used the WALT guidelines [ 33 ] to inform their treatment protocols [ 36 , 51 , 53 , 54 ] (Tables 1 and 2 ).…”

“…All the included studies used VAS as an outcome measure. Of the studies that used PROMS in their measures, four ( k = 4) studies used the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) measure [ 36 , 45 , 50 , 55 ]; with one ( k = 1) using the Quick DASH (Q-DASH) [ 48 ]; two ( k = 2) used the Patient Reported Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) [ 36 , 43 ]; two ( n = 2) used the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) [ 37 , 55 ]; three ( k = 3) used the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) [ 44 , 47 , 49 ]; and one ( k = 1) study used the Victoria Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella Tendon (VISA-P) [ 38 ]. Due to the heterogeneous nature, and limited numbers of study interventions, only the DASH scores could be subject to meta-analysis.…”

Clinical effects of high-intensity laser therapy on patients with chronic refractory wounds: a randomised controlled trial

“…The HILT used in this prospective study was a semiconductive neodymium laser IV with a wavelength of 1064 nm (BTL-6000, BTL Company, UK), which has been proved to be a class IV laser and has been used in the treatment of pain and wounds. 12 Laser energy (maximum optical power, 12 W; spot diameter area, 1 cm 2 ; maximum energy density, 150 J/cm 2 ) was applied in a homogenous and standardised manner. The treatment parameters were set as follows: power, 8 W; energy flow density, 80 J/cm 2 and treatment mode, biostimulation mode (continuous stimulation; manually set); irradiation time was determined according to the wound area (cm²).…”