We assessed the long-term effects of pulsed high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in post-burn pruritus treatment. A total of 49 adult burn patients with mean age of 31.53 ± 10.14 years participated, with 24 patients randomly assigned to the active laser group (ALG) and 25 in the placebo laser group (PLG). The ALG received HILT three times per week for 6 weeks, while the PLG received placebo HILT. Both groups received 10-mg cetirizine tablets twice daily and 10 mg at bedtime. All patients were advised to massage their burn scars with coconut oil for 5 min four times daily. The outcomes measured were the itch severity scale (ISS), impairment of pruritus-related quality of life (QoL), pain level by the visual analog scale (VAS), hand grip strength by handheld dynamometer, and daily cetirizine intake. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the baseline and post-treatment measurements and after 12 weeks of follow-up. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. ISS decreased significantly in the ALG after 6 weeks of treatment and after 12 weeks of follow-up compared with the PLG. The QoL results showed a significant improvement in the ALG compared with the PLG, which continued after 12 weeks. VAS results significantly decrease, hand grip strength significantly improved, and cetirizine intake significantly decreased post-treatment in the ALG relative to the PLG. HILT combined with cetirizine seems more effective in patients with post-burn pruritus than a placebo laser procedure with cetirizine.

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Background/Aims: Mechanically triggered cervicalgia is a common complain worldwide. Postural exercises are commonly used for its treatment. Kinesio taping has been proved to help many musculoskeletal disorders. We aimed to determine and compare the efficacy of kinesio taping and postural exercises in mechanical neck dysfunction. Methods: Forty-five patients, aged 18–40 years with mechanical neck dysfunction were randomly assigned into two different groups, and received 4 weeks of treatment. Group A received kinesio taping, and group B received postural exercises. Neck pain, disability, cervical curvature and upper trapezius activities were measured pre and post treatment by visual analogue scale, neck disability index, flexible ruler and electromyography. Between group comparisons were performed using multivariate analysis of variance and intra-group comparisons were performed using paired t test. Findings: Group-by-time interaction was significant in the multivariable test. Post hoc tests revealed that kinesio taping produced more pain reduction than the postural exercises. However, there was no significant interaction for disability, cervical curvature and upper trapezius activities. Conclusion: Kinesio taping has been found to be more effective than postural exercises to reduce pain. However, both have the same effect regarding disability, muscle activities and cervical curvature.