Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Botla AM et al., 2024 · Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery
This study was conducted to ascertain the efficacy of photo acupuncture (PA) on the neurophysiological parameters of the median nerve and hand function in postnatal women. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been documented in up to 62% of pregnant females. PA, a noninvasive treatment that utilizes photo therapy on acupoints, could aid in the management of CTS. Material and Thirty-six postpartum women diagnosed with CTS depending on their medical history, physical examination, and electrodiagnostic study were distributed into two equal-sized groups at random. The PA group (n = 18) received PA for 12 min on the following acupuncture points: PC4, PC6, PC7, PC8, HT2, HT3, HT7, LI10, LI11, LI4, LU9, and LU10. The treatment was given 3 times weekly for four weeks; in addition, night splints were worn. Women in the control group (n = 18) just wore night splints. Before and after the 12-session treatment, each woman was assessed using an electrodiagnostic test to measure the motor distal latency (MDL), sensory distal latency (SDL), motor conduction velocity (MCV), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), pinch dynamometer for assessing pinch strength, and the Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire (BMHQ) for assessing hand function. A statistically significant improvement was observed in both groups after therapy regarding SDL, SCV, MDL, MCV, pinch strength, and BMHQ (p < 0.05) in favor of the PA group. Adding PA to a night splint should be suggested as an effective conservative therapy for CTS in postpartum women.
Dimitrios S et al., 2017 · Laser therapy
The aim of this trial was to assess the efficacy of polarized polychromatic noncoherent light (Bioptron light) in the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in pregnancy. An uncontrolled experimental study was conducted in pregnant patients with CTS who visited our clinic from January 2006 to January 2010. Bioptron light (480-3400 nm; 95% polarization; 40 mW/cm2; and 2.4 J/cm2) was administered perpendicular to the carpal tunnel area. The irradiation time for each session was 6 min at an operating distance of 5-10 cm from the carpal tunnel area, twice each day, five days per week for 2 weeks. Pain and paraesthesia using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and finger pinch strength were evaluated at the end of treatment (week 2) and 1-month (week 6) after the end of treatment. The Student'sttest was used and p values < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. 46 patients participated in the study. The mean age of subjects was 27.6 years (range 22-37). The patient population had a mean duration of CTS of 2.3 months (range 1-4). All patients were in the third trimester. Pain and paraesthesia decreased at the end of treatment and at the 1-month follow-up, whereas the finger pinch strength increased at the end of treatment and at the 1-month follow-up. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that Bioptron light is a reliable, safe, and effective treatment option in pregnant patients with CTS. Controlled clinical trials are needed to establish the absolute and relative effectiveness of this intervention.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
de Holanda Araujo AMP et al., 2020 · Lasers in medical science
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on immediate postpartum pain relief during cesarean section. A randomized, parallel controlled trial was carried out. In total, 88 women with immediate postpartum were divided into 4 groups: control group (n = 22), placebo group (n = 22), experimental group I (n = 22, dose of 4 J/cm2), and experimental group II (n = 22, dose of 2 J/cm2). The pain measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), algometry, and Global Change Perception Scale (GCPS) was assessed at 12, 20-24, and 44-48 h postpartum. Two LLLT sessions were performed at 12 and 24 h postpartum. A significant interaction was observed between time versus group for NRS F (2.40) = 36.80, p < 0.001 and algometry F (1.70) = 27.18, p < 0.001. GCPS revealed a significant difference between the groups during second (p = 0.04) and third evaluation (p = 0.04). The NRS and algometry presented a large effect size for the experimental groups. LLLT is an efficient method to reduce pain and enhance the GCP in postcesarean section. No significant clinical differences were found between the laser doses.
Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
Gaitero MVC et al., 2025 · Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia
This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on nipple trauma and pain during breastfeeding through a systematic review with a meta-analysis of selected studies. A thorough search was conducted on March 22, 2022, using the databases PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, PEDro, CINAHL, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Web of Science, TRIP, DARE, and ProQuest. The search terms included various combinations of low-level laser therapy, nipple pain, nipple trauma, and breastfeeding. Out of 107 articles identified, only three controlled and randomized clinical trials was included. The extracted data encompassed breast and trauma characteristics, treatment types, outcomes (pain and healing process), evaluation tools, LLLT usage, laser brand, and parameters. Data extraction was performed using RAYYAN for systematic reviews. The risk of bias in the studies was evaluated. Pain was measured using the visual analog scale (VAS). The included studies did not use validated tools for assessing physical conditions. All studies employed LLLT with a 660-nm wavelength, though there were variations in equipment power, energy dose, and application methods. The meta-analysis revealed an average difference of -0.60 points (95% CI: -1.52 to 0.31) in the VAS pain scores between the LLLT and control groups. No heterogeneity was observed among the studies (I2=0%), indicating no significant difference in pain relief between LLLT (red light) and control groups. LLLT may offer a promising option for managing breastfeeding-related complications, though further research is required.