The Effectiveness of Laser Acupuncture for Treatment of Musculoskeletal Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the treatment effectiveness of laser acupuncture (LA) in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Methods Major electronic databases, including Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched to identify double-blind, randomized controlled trials of LA in musculoskeletal disorders. The primary outcome was the treatment efficacy for pain. The secondary outcomes included the comparison of disability, functional impairment, and dropout rate between LA and sham treatment, as well as the effect of sham treatment for pain. The results from included studies were synthesized with the random effects model. Results In total, 20 articles comprising 568 patients receiving LA and 534 patients receiving sham treatment were included in the current study. Our analysis showed LA significantly reduced pain (g=0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.35 to 1.42, p=0.001), disability (g=0.68, 95% CI=0.29 to 1.08, p<0.001), and functional impairment (g=0.67, 95% CI=0.32 to 1.03, p<0.001). Through meta-regression analysis, we found these effects were not moderated by mean age, the percentage of females, or treatment duration. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the two groups in dropout rate (risk ratio=0.73, p=0.08), and the sham treatment significantly reduced only pain intensity (g=0.54, 95% CI=0.32 to 0.77, p<0.001). Conclusion Our findings supported that LA significantly reduced pain, disability, and functional impairment in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Further researches are required to determine the optimal therapeutic parameters and the suitable patients for receiving LA. Protocol Registration CRD42020190919.

Effectiveness and Safety of Acupuncture-Related Therapies for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

“…The meta-analysis involving CMP is only a traditional direct comparison. [59][60][61][62][63][64] These studies have included acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and dry needles as interventions, but they have not reached a consistent conclusion, so it is impossible to know which treatment is more effective. Our research will systematically synthesize the evidence on the efficacy and safety of acupuncture-related therapy for CMP.…”

The Effect of Lifting‐and‐Thrusting Laser Acupuncture on Electrodermal Activity of Acupoints, Pulse Characteristics, and Brainwave

“…On the other hand, laser acupuncture is an increasingly popular method that aims to stimulates the acupuncture point on the human body with low-intensity, nonthermal laser irradiation. Due to its noninvasive and painless properties, laser acupuncture has become widely accepted by the general public and been considered as an efective and safe treatment method with its efcacy verifed by many studies [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

Traditional acupuncture and laser acupuncture in chronic nonspecific neck pain: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Meanwhile, the clinical use of LA is increasing, since it offers the advantages of being totally painless, non-invasive, and safe [ 30 , 33 , 43 ], and it can be used with people who have a phobia of needles. There are few studies in the literature using LA for cervical and pain conditions, such as chronic cervical syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, spondylosis, temporomandibular disorders, and musculoskeletal pain, with positive results, strengthening the use of laser acupuncture [ 39 , 45 – 48 ].…”