Emerging Therapies · Light Therapy
El-Shamy FF et al., 2018 · Journal of lasers in medical sciences
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most widely recognized reasons for infertility. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of laser acupuncture on PCOS women. Twenty-five PCOS women were randomly allocated to either the study group (SG; n=13), treated by laser acupuncture, or the control group (CG; n = 12). Blood hormonal levels and insulin resistance were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. The pre-intervention levels showed no statistically significant differences between SG and CG for baseline characteristics (P>0.05). After 12 weeks of intervention, within-group analyses showed that body mass index (BMI), blood hormonal levels, and insulin resistance were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while no significant changes in follicle-stimulating hormone (P>0.05) were recorded in the 2 groups. Between-groups analyses showed that most outcomes measures were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in SG compared with CG, with no significant changes in FSH and BMI (P>0.05). Laser acupuncture can be suggested as an effective management for PCOS women.
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
Moraes BHM et al., 2026 · Research Square (preprint)
Abstract
To evaluate the effects of PBMT (λ = 660 nm) on pain, breastfeeding quality, and healing of nipple injuries.
This randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot trial included 20 lactating postpartum women with nipple trauma. Participants were divided into PBMT (standard care + active PBMT) and Placebo (standard care + sham) groups. Interventions occurred up to seven sessions over 15 days. PBMT parameters: 660 nm, 40 mW, 10 J/cm², and 0.4 W/cm² for 10s per point (one central and four peripheral points). Assessments included the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), LATCH Scale, Nipple Trauma Score (NTS), and photogrammetry.
Most participants (90%) presented bilateral excoriations or fissures. The PBMT group showed significantly greater pain reduction from the third session onward (p < 0.05), achieving total analgesia by the seventh, whereas the Placebo group maintained higher VAS scores. Although both groups improved their breastfeeding technique, the PBMT group showed superior post-intervention LATCH scores. Furthermore, PBMT significantly accelerated tissue repair from the third session onward. The PBMT group reached complete lesion regression (NTS = 0), while the Placebo group maintained residual trauma (NTS = 1).
PBMT combined with clinical management is effective for pain relief, tissue repair, and improving breastfeeding quality. It serves as a promising adjuvant resource to prevent complications and support the maintenance of exclusive breastfeeding.
Ashour AA et al., 2023 · Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand Therapists
Single-blind randomized controlled trial. High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) was recently introduced to the physiotherapy field as a treatment option for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, evidence about its effectiveness on pregnant women with CTS is sparse. To test the effectiveness of HILT combined with a conventional physical therapy program to reduce pain intensity, sensory and motor nerve distal latency, and increase grip strength in pregnant women with CTS compared with the physical therapy alone. Fifty-four pregnant women with mild to moderate CTS were randomized and further allocated into two groups. The HILT group (n = 27) received both HILT and conventional physical therapy, and the control group (n = 27) received only physical therapy, including nerve and tendon gliding exercises and the use of an orthotic device. Participants received the interventions at the University Hospital (omitted for review) three times per week for 5 weeks. An 11-points numerical pain rating scale, electromyography, and a handheld dynamometer were used for data collection before and after the treatment. Participants from both groups presented significant improvement in the median nerve motor nerve distal latency (MNDL), sensory nerve distal latency, numerical pain rating scale, and handgrip strength after the intervention. The between-group difference showed more improvements in participants of the HILT group on reducing pain intensity, mean difference (MD) = -3.11 (-4.1 to 2.1), and sensory nerve distal latency, MD = -0.3 (-0.5 to -0.1) compared with the control group. HILT produced greater improvement in outcomes of pregnant women with mild to moderate CTS whichsuggests that adding HILT to traditional CTS physical therapy protocol is beneficial and safe. High-intensity laser therapy combined with a standard physical therapy program for CTS in pregnant women is better than the physical therapy program alone to improve pain intensity and median nerve sensory distal latency.