New Research

LOW-LEVEL LASER THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PLANTAR FASCIITIS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Jastifer JR, Catena F, Doty JF, Stevens F, Coughlin MJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis affects nearly 1 million people annually in the United States. Traditional nonoperative management is successful in about 90% of patients, usually within 10 months. Chronic plantar fasciitis develops in about 10% of patients and is a difficult clinical problem to treat. A newly emerging technology, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has demonstrated promising results for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.

METHODS: Thirty patients were administered LLLT and completed 12 months of follow-up. Patients were treated twice a week for 3 weeks for a total of 6 treatments and were evaluated at baseline, 2 weeks post procedure, and 6 and 12 months post procedure. Patients completed the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) at study follow-up periods.

RESULTS: Patients demonstrated a mean improvement in heel pain VAS from 67.8 out of 100 at baseline to 6.9 out of 100 at the 12-month follow-up period. Total FFI score improved from a mean of 106.2 at baseline to 32.3 at 12 months post procedure.

CONCLUSION: Although further studies are warranted, this study shows that LLLT is a promising treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, case series.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24510123?dopt=Citation

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EFFICACY OF RED AND INFRARED LASERS IN TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS - A DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED, PARALLEL CLINICAL TRIAL

Pereira TS, Flecha OD, Guimaraes RC, de Oliveira D, Botelho AM, Ramos Gloria JC, Aguiar Tavano KT

Abstract

AIM: Low-level laser therapy has still not been well established, and it is important to define a standardized protocol for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using low level laser. There is no consensus on controlled clinical trials concerning the best option for laser therapy with regard to wavelength. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of red and infrared laser therapy in patients with TMD, using a randomized parallel-group double-blind trial.

METHODOLOGY: Each hemiface of 19 subjects was randomized to receive intervention, in a total of 116 sensitive points. Pain was measured at baseline and time intervals of 24 hours, 30 days, 90 days, and 180 days after treatment. Irradiation of 4 J/cm2 in the temporomandibular joints and 8 J/cm(2) in the muscles was used in three sessions.

RESULTS: Both treatments had statistically significant results (P<0.001); there was statistical difference between them at 180 days in favor of the infrared laser (P=0.039). There was improvement in 24 hours, which extended up to 180 days in both groups.

CONCLUSION: Both lasers are effective in the treatment and remission of TMD symptoms.

Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24660647?dopt=Citation