Role of High Power Laser Therapy on Pain Reduction in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome also known as chondromalacia patella is a very common musculoskeletal disorder in adolescents and athletes. The underlying cause of PFPS is unknown, but some medical experts believe that pain in the knee area is caused by other soft tissue, muscular, and biomechanical abnormalities. If PFPS is not treated in a controlled manner, then it can cause quadriceps muscle weakness. PFPS affects both adults and teens with a prevalence rate of 23% for most people. The prevalence of PFPS is higher for women compared to men. Usually, the diagnosis of PFPS is slow because there is a cluster of signs and symptoms. Aim: To determine the effects of high power laser therapy on pain reduction in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methodology: It is a RCT (randomized controlled trial). There were two groups i.e. Control group (routine physiotherapy) and treatment group(routine physiotherapy + Hi power laser therapy) with 33 patients in each group (total of 66 participants of study). VAS scoring was used to interpret the data. The data was analyzed statistically and then was compared to study the difference between two groups. Results: The data was statistically analyzed and showed the difference between two groups of the study. The value of P is less than 0.05 which was considered significant. Conclusion: It is concluded that the patients who receive HPLT (high power laser therapy) along with routine physiotherapy showed better results and progress in pain reduction than those who only receive routine physiotherapy treatment. Keywords: High Power Laser therapy, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Visual Analogue Scale

The effect of high-intensity laser therapy on pain and lower extremity function in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a single-blind randomized controlled trial

“…In the literature, HILT is a current treatment approach, and there are few studies examining the efficacy of HILT in PFPS. Additionally, there are differences in the HILT protocols and treatment durations applied in the studies [ 12 , 13 ]. Our study is the first to compare HILT with combinations of different electrophysical agents in the treatment of PFPS.…”

“…In the literature, HILT is a current treatment approach, and there are few studies examining the efficacy of HILT in PFPS. Additionally, there are differences in the HILT protocols and treatment durations applied in the studies [12,13].…”

“…Its analgesic effect is based on mechanisms of action such as slowing the transmission of pain stimulation and increasing the production of morphine-like substances [ 11 ]. Due to these effects, results of studies using HILT in patients with PFPS have shown that the high-intensity laser is more efficient in decreasing pain [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Although there is no consensus in the literature about the duration, pulse power, energy dose, and frequency of laser treatment in patients receiving laser therapy, a small number of studies have investigated the effects of high-intensity laser treatment on cervical radiculopathy, frozen shoulder, lateral epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, myofascial syndrome, low back pain, gonarthrosis, postmastectomy pain, and PFPS [ 18 ]. As a result, it is seen that there are few studies conducted with high-intensity laser in patients with PFPS [ 12 , 13 , 19 ], and no studies are comparing with different electrophysical agents. Nouri et al investigated the efficacy of high-intensity lasers (five sessions) versus sham laser [ 12 ].…”

“…Nouri et al investigated the efficacy of high-intensity lasers (five sessions) versus sham laser [ 12 ]. In another study, HILT (six sessions) and routine physical therapy (exercise and patellar mobilization) were compared with routine physical therapy [ 13 ]. They only examined the effect of laser on pain.…”