The Abstract:
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION:
A systematic literature search was
conducted in the Medline and PEDro databases. Two researchers
independently screened titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies for
eligibility. Quality assessment of the eligible studies was conducted
using the PEDro rating scale. Studies that scored ?4 were included. A
random-effects model was used for this meta-analysis. Subgroup
meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of the adherence
of the applied LLLT to the World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT)
guidelines, the anatomical site under investigation and the study design
on the overall weighted mean effect size. Meta regression was used to
assess the possible influence of the study quality on the individual
study effect sizes.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS:
Eighteen studies
allowing for 21 head-to-head comparisons (totaling N.=1462
participants) were included. The pooled raw mean difference (D) in pain
between LLLT and the control groups was -0.85 (95% CI: -1.22 to -0.48).
There was high (I²=85.6%) and significant between study heterogeneity
(Cochran's Q =139.2; df=20; P<0.001). The subgroup meta-analysis of
the comparisons not following the WALT guidelines revealed a D=-0.68
(95% CI: -1.09 to -0.27). In this group, heterogeneity decreased to
I²=72.6% (Q=51.2; df=14; P<0.001). In the WALT subgroup D equaled
-1.52 (95% CI: -2.34 to -0.70). This between groups difference was
clinically relevant although statistically not significant (Q=3.24;
df=1; P=0.072).
CONCLUSIONS:
This meta-analysis presents
evidence that LLLT is an effective treatment modality to reduce pain in
adult patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Adherence to WALT dosage
recommendations seems to enhance treatment effectiveness.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28145397
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