Ioannis Mamais1, Konstantinos Papadopoulos2, Demetris Lamnisos3, Demetrios Stasinopoulos3,4. 1. Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 2. Department of London Sports Institute, Science and Technology School, Middlesex University of London. 3. Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus. 4. Director of Cyprus Musculoskeletal and Sports Trauma Research Centre (CYMUSTREC).
Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this umbrella review is to determine the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of LET and to provide recommendations based on this evidence. METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic review was undertaken using Medline, EBSCO and EMBASE. Systematic reviews or meta-analysis were included if they compared Laser with at least one of the following: (i) placebo, (ii) no treatment, (iii) another treatment, conservative (physical therapy intervention or medical) or operative of LET. Principal outcomes included the assessment of short and long-term effect on functional status, pain, grip strength (pain-free or maximum) and a global measure (overall improvement). RESULTS: Seven papers met the inclusion criteria for the umbrella review, Five papers were of moderate and two of low methodological quality. All reviews reported benefits associated with laser therapy Vs other intervention or placebo, however the significance of the identified benefits differed between studies and reviews. No review reported negative effects of laser therapy or harm to patients. All reviews noted significant variance between included studies with 2 reviews citing statistically significant heterogeneity. It is essential to consider this in the interpretation of these data. CONCLUSION: This umbrella review found poor results for the effectiveness of LLLT in the management of LET. Therefore, further research with well-designed RCTs is required to provide meaningful evidence on the effectiveness (absolute and relative) of LLLT for the management of LET. 2018, Japan Medical Laser Laboratory.
PURPOSE: The aim of this umbrella review is to determine the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of LET and to provide recommendations based on this evidence. METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic review was undertaken using Medline, EBSCO and EMBASE. Systematic reviews or meta-analysis were included if they compared Laser with at least one of the following: (i) placebo, (ii) no treatment, (iii) another treatment, conservative (physical therapy intervention or medical) or operative of LET. Principal outcomes included the assessment of short and long-term effect on functional status, pain, grip strength (pain-free or maximum) and a global measure (overall improvement). RESULTS: Seven papers met the inclusion criteria for the umbrella review, Five papers were of moderate and two of low methodological quality. All reviews reported benefits associated with laser therapy Vs other intervention or placebo, however the significance of the identified benefits differed between studies and reviews. No review reported negative effects of laser therapy or harm to patients. All reviews noted significant variance between included studies with 2 reviews citing statistically significant heterogeneity. It is essential to consider this in the interpretation of these data. CONCLUSION: This umbrella review found poor results for the effectiveness of LLLT in the management of LET. Therefore, further research with well-designed RCTs is required to provide meaningful evidence on the effectiveness (absolute and relative) of LLLT for the management of LET. 2018, Japan Medical Laser Laboratory.
Authors: Nynke Smidt; Willem J J Assendelft; Heikki Arola; Antti Malmivaara; Sally Greens; Rachelle Buchbinder; Daniëlle A W M van der Windt; Lex M Bouter Journal: Ann Med Date: 2003 Impact factor: 4.709
Authors: Jan M Bjordal; Rodrigo Ab Lopes-Martins; Jon Joensen; Christian Couppe; Anne E Ljunggren; Apostolos Stergioulas; Mark I Johnson Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2008-05-29 Impact factor: 2.362