ChiroACCESS: Procedure Overview of Laser Therapy, Low-Level

Overview Review Sections (14)

Laser Therapy, Low-Level

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is the use of a focused beam of non-heating light to treat human illness and injury. The suggested physiological effects of laser therapy include increased ATP synthesis, increased cell proliferation, microcirculation activation and analgesic effects just to name a few (1). LLLT includes instruments utilizing a variety of wavelengths and power outputs.

(1) Moshkovska T, Mayberry J. It is time to test low level laser therapy in Great Britain. Postgrad Med J 2005 Jul;81(957):436-41.

Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) Information

MeSH Term: Laser Therapy, Low-Level

Scope Note: Treatment using irradiation with LASER light of low power intensity so that the effects are not due to heat, as in LASER THERAPY. These non-thermal effects are thought to be mediated by a photochemical reaction that alters CELL MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY, leading to increased mRNA synthesis and CELL PROLIFERATION. Low-level laser therapy has been used for a wide variety of conditions, but most frequently for wound healing and pain control.

MeSH Synonyms:

Laser Therapy, Low-Level
Laser Therapies, Low-Level
Laser Therapy, Low Level
Low-Level Laser Therapies
Laser Irradiation, Low-Power
Irradiation, Low-Power Laser
Laser Irradiation, Low Power
Low-Power Laser Therapy
Low Power Laser Therapy
LLLT
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Low Level Laser Therapy
Low-Power Laser Irradiation
Low Power Laser Irradiation
Laser Biostimulation
Biostimulation, Laser
Laser Therapy, Low-Power
Laser Therapies, Low-Power
Laser Therapy, Low Power
Low-Power Laser Therapies

Applicable MeSH Subheadings:

adverse effects
classification
contraindications
economics
history
instrumentation
methods
nursing
psychology
standards
statistics and numerical data
trends
veterinary

One-Click Literature Search

Laser Therapy, Low-Level AND Contraindications

Laser Therapy, Low-Level AND Methods

Laser Therapy, Low-Level AND Utilization

Informative Links

Current Clinical Trials Relating to Laser Therapy, Low-Level

ClinicalTrials.gov: Provides patients, family members, and members of the public easy and free access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Effects of High Voltage Pulsed Current (HVPC) and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Wound Healing in Diabetic Ulcers
(Status: Completed)

Assessment of Low Level Laser Therapy for Late Postoperative Pain After Lumbar Fusion Surgery
(Status: Recruiting)

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Hands of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
(Status: Completed)

The Use of Low Level Laser Therapy for Wound Healing in Leprosy Patients
(Status: Completed)

Treatment Trial Using Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
(Status: Recruiting)

Study of Low Level Laser Therapy for Body Contouring
(Status: Completed)

Low Level Laser Treatment and Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema
(Status: Recruiting)

Assessment Of Infrared Photobiotherapy for Improved Wound Healing
(Status: Recruiting)

Low Level Laser Therapy to Reduce Chronic Pain
(Status: Completed)

Study of Low Level Laser Therapy and Tinnitus Relief
(Status: Terminated)

Low Level Laser Light Therapy and Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain
(Status: Completed)

Low-energy Laser Therapy for Prevention of Oral Mucositis in Children
(Status: Recruiting)

Low Level Laser Therapy to Reduce Pain After Breast Augmentation Surgery
(Status: Completed)

Study of Low Level Laser Therapy and Word Recognition in Hearing Impaired Individuals
(Status: Completed)

Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Low Level Light Device in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
(Status: Completed)

Efficacy of Interferential Laser Therapy in Shoulder Pain
(Status: Completed)

Pain Perception at Laser Treatment
(Status: Completed)

Low Level Laser Light Therapy as an Aid to Liposuction
(Status: Completed)

Laser Assisted Treatment of Chronic Sinusitis With and Without Light Activated Agents
(Status: Recruiting)

Study of the Use of Laser Light to Treat Osteoarthritis of the Hand.
(Status: Recruiting)

20 Clinical Trials Returned

Laser (Acute Whiplash Injuries: Therapy)

Although low level laser therapy (LLLT) is often used for pain control, only one study was located that investigated LLLT as a treatment for acute whiplash injury. This study was an RCT of 45....

Published On 5/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Biomechanical Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Therapy)

Except for the study mentioned above, use of laser in the treatment of BSJP is uninvestigated. Use is based on tradition and anecdotal evidence.

Published On 6/25/2007 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Therapy)

Although there is a relatively large body of work in the use of LLL for the treatment of CTS, results of these studies are mixed. Two systematic reviews of RCT’s classify laser acupuncture as....

Published On 3/31/2009 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Dizziness of Cervical Origin: Therapy)

A RCT of 53 patients compared laser acupuncture (632.8 nm, 5mW), a cervical collar and medication to a placebo laser with identical adjunctive treatment. Treatment frequency was 3 times per week for....

Published On 8/2/2007 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Fibromyalgia: Therapy)

Three studies examining the effectiveness of laser were located. Two demonstrated positive benefits and one demonstrated no benefit. The first study was a RCT with 40 subjects divided into a laser....

Published On 10/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Osteoarthritis: Therapy)

The great difficulty in evaluating low level laser studies is the wide variety of wavelengths, output power, location of points treated and dosage of treatment. A recent Cochrane review located 7....

Published On 2/28/2007 12:00:00 AM

Laser (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: Therapy)

Laser therapy, similar to many other interventions, has evidence to support its use as well as evidence to refute its value. Most studies use small numbers of subjects and are limited in their value.....

Published On 10/15/2006 12:00:00 AM

Low Level Laser (Tennis Elbow: Therapy)

Studies are limited and results are mixed relating to the effectiveness of laser therapy. Two separate reviews found insufficient evidence to warrant the use of laser therapy (16;17). However one....

Published On 12/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Low Level Laser Therapy (High Ankle Sprain: Therapy)

(From lateral ankle sprain review). The use of low level laser therapy in the treatment of ankle sprain remains controversial. Different wave lengths, different power outputs and different time of....

Published On 6/16/2008 12:00:00 AM

Low Level Laser Therapy (Lateral Ankle Sprain: Therapy)

The use of low level laser therapy in the treatment of ankle sprain remains controversial. Different wave length, different power outputs, different time of application all contribute to the....

Published On 5/21/2008 12:00:00 AM

Low Level Laser Therapy (Myofascial Pain Syndromes: Therapy)

Results relating to laser are mixed depending on wavelength, power and dosage. A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs and 5 clinical trials found low level laser therapy (LLLT) had no effect on pain in....

Published On 9/2/2007 12:00:00 AM

Low Level Light Laser (Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Therapy)

The 2003 Cochrane Review (mentioned above) concluded that there is insufficient evidence for the use of low level laser in the treatment of rotator cuff pathology (1). A RCT of 35 patients compared a....

Published On 1/7/2008 12:00:00 AM

Other (Lumbar Facet Pain: Therapy)

Other interventions are commonly used in LFMP but there is little documentation in the scientific literature to verify their efficacy. These interventions include exercise therapy, electrotherapy,....

Published On 8/11/2008 12:00:00 AM

Other Interventions (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Therapy)

Other interventions such as laser, acupuncture, ultrasound, and cryotherapy are often used in the clinical setting but have not been investigated with good quality RCT’s. One systematic review....

Published On 6/18/2009 12:00:00 AM