Effect of Helium-Neon Laser on Musculoskeletal Trigger Points

Abstract

Cold lasers have been proposed recently as a therapeutic tool for treating a wide variety of pathological conditions, including wounds, arthritis, orthopedic problems, and pain. These proposed therapeutic effects largely have been unsubstantiated by research. A randomized, double blind study was undertaken to ascertain the effect of a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser on the resistance of areas of skin overlying musculoskeletal trigger points. These areas usually demonstrate decreased skin resistance when compared with the surrounding tissue. Thirty patients with musculoskeletal trigger points were assigned randomly to either an experimental or a placebo group. In addition to standard physical therapy, each patient received three 15-second applications of a He-Ne laser or placebo "stimulation" from an identical unit that did not emit a laser. The results of a two-way analysis of covariance with one repeated measure showed a statistically significant increase (p less than .007) in skin resistance. This increase in an abnormal skin resistance pattern may accompany the resolution of pathological conditions.

Systematic review of the literature of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the management of neck pain

“…Author and year Reason for exclusion Gallacchi et al, 1981 [31] German/laser acupuncture Lewith et al, 1981 [20] Trial of heat treatment generated by light that is, not athermic lasers Snyder-Mackler et al, 1986 [21] Did not use pain outcome measure Waylonis et al, 1988 [22] Laser acupuncture Airaksinen et al, 1989 [18] Crossover design Ceccherelli et al, 1989 [23] Laser acupuncture Snyder-Mackler et al, 1989 [24] Cannot separate out neck pain data Taverna et al, 1990 [37] Italian Thorsen et al, 1991 [25] Danish Thorsen et al, 1992 [26] Crossover design Laakso et al, 1994 [27] Did not use pain outcome measure Logdberg-Andersson et al, 1997 [29] Cannot separate out neck pain data Fukuuchi et al,1998 [34] Cannot separate out neck pain data Slattery et al, 2002 [35] Abstract only-no data available Seidel et al, 2002 [36] German/laser acupuncture Given such heterogeneity, two issues emerge. Firstly it is difficult to advocate a ''unifying theory'' of plausible biological mechanisms with such diversity of parameters and protocols.…”

Efficacy of 904 nm gallium arsenide low level laser therapy in the management of chronic myofascial pain in the neck: A double‐blind and randomize‐controlled trial

“…Those that exist describe the use of different wavelengths such as 830 nm Ga-Al-As [14], Cecherelli (pulsed infrared diode laser) [23] and 630 nm He-Ne [24] in the management of chronic pain and describe treatment of acute rather than chronic pain (904 nm Ga-As) [25].…”

Helium–Neon Laser Irradiation: Effect on the Experimental Pain Threshold

“…One of the proposed mechanisms of helium-neon laser irradiation at a maximum power of less than 90 mW (low-level laser therapy with energy densities between 1 and 4 J/cm 2 ) is explained as a direct e#ect ('biostimulation', 'photobiological e#ect') on certain cell structures [3]. In various conditions helium-neon laser therapy is reputed to have an analgesic e#ect in musculoskeletal pain syndromes [4][5][6]. The few experimental studies on this subject to date have reached controversial conclusions, and only unproved theories exist regarding the causal mechanism [7][8][9][10].…”