Thorsen et al.1616 Torsen H, Gam AN, Svensson BH, Jess M, Jensen MK, Piculell I, Schack LK, Skjøtt K. Low level laser therapy for myofascial pain in the neck and shoulder girdle. A double-blind, cross-over study. Scand J Rheumatol. 1992;21(3):139-41
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n=41 with myofascial pain and age between 23 and 65 years |
GaALAS |
830 nm |
Continuous and pulse mode
Power 30 mWatt
Energy/spot 0.9 J (max 9 J/treatment)
Probe head area 2.5 mm2
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6 times/week
2 weeks
12 sessions
|
|
Gur et al.1414 Gur A, Sarac AJ, Cevik R, Altindag O, Sarac S. 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. Lasers Surg Med. 2004;35(3):229–35.
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n=60 (13 men and 47 women) with myofascial pain Intervention group: 30 Placebo group: 30 |
GaAs infrared laser |
904 nm |
Duration 200 ns
Frequency 2.8 kHz
Average power 11.2 mW
Power density/spot: 2 J/cm2 (max 20 J/cm2)
Max output 20 W/pulse
1 cm surface
Time 3 min on each spot
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Daily for 2 weeks, except weekends.
10 sessions
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2, 3 and 12 weeks |
Ceylan et al.1717 Ceylan Y, Hizmetli S, Siliğ Y. The effects of infrared laser and medical treatments on pain and serotonin degradation products in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. A controlled trial. Rheumatol Int. 2004;24(5):260-3.
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n=39 with myofascial pain Intervention group: 19 Placebo group: 20 |
Gymna 200 laser |
904 nm |
Duration 200 ns
Frequency 4 kHz
Energy/spot 1.44 J
Laser probe tip length 5 mm
Time 3 min at each spot
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1 time a day for 10 consecutive days. |
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Ilbuldul et al.1212 Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J. The use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for musculoskeletal pain. MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015;2(5):00068.
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n=60 subjects with myofascial pain
Laser group: 20
Dry needling group: 20
Laser placebo group: 20
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HeNe Laser |
632.8 nm |
Energy/spot 2 J |
3 times a week 12 sessions |
6 months |
Altan et al.1919 Altan L, Bingöl U, Aykaç M, Yurtkuran M. Investigation of the effect of GaAs laser therapy on cervical myofascial pain syndrome. Rheumatol Int. 2005;25(1):23-7.
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n=53 (18 men and 35 women) with myofascial pain Intervention group: 23
Placebo group: 25
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GaAs laser |
904 nm |
Maximum power 27 W, 50 W or 27 • 4 W
Frequency 1 kHz
Time 2 min at each spot
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1 time/day for 10 weekdays
2 weeks
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2, 12 and 14 weeks |
Dundar et al.55 Dundar U, Evcik D, Samli F, Pusak H, Kavuncu V. The effect of gallium arsenide aluminum laser therapy in the management of cervical myofascial pain syndrome: a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Clin Rheumatol. 2007;26(6):930-4.
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n=64 (9 men and 55 women) with myofascial pain Intervention group: 32
Placebo group: 32
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GaAsAl laser |
830 nm |
Power 42 J
Frequency 1 kHz
Time 2 min in each spot
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1 time/day for 15 weekdays
3 weeks
|
4 weeks |
Lee and Han1515 Lee JH, Han J T. The dose-dependent effect of an 830-nm, 450-mW low-level laser therapy on the myofacial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle: a randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 2011;23(6):933-5.
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n=24 (10 men and 14 women) with myofascial pain. Intervention group: 12
Placebo group: 12
|
GaALAs |
830 nm |
Power 450 mW
Energy density 35.71 W/cm2
Spot diameter 0.3 cm
Spot size 0.07 cm2
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Intervals of 1 week for 1 min, 2 min, and 5 min, respectively. |
Rayegani et al.2020 Rayegani S, Bahrami M, Samadi B, Sedighipour L, Mokhtarirad M, Eliaspoor D. Comparison of the effects of low energy laser and ultrasound in treatment of shoulder myofascial pain syndrome: a randomized single-blinded clinical trial. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2011;47(3):381-9.
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n=63 (17 men and 46 women) with myofascial pain Laser Group: 17
Ultrasound group: 16
Laser placebo group: 16
|
|
880 nm |
Continuous mode 880 nm/pulsed 905 nm
Peak power 1100 mW
Frequency 700 Hz with variable duty cycle
Energy density 39,7 J/cm2
Time 2 minutes each spot
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5 times/week
2 weeks
10 sessions
|
|
Manca et al.2121 Manca A, Limonta E, Pilurzi G, Ginatempo F, De Natale ER, Mercante B, Tolu E, Deriu F. Ultrasound and laser as stand-alone therapies for myofascial trigger points: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Physiother Res Int. 2014;19(3):166-75.
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n=60 (32 men and 28 women) with myofascial pain Laser group: 11
Laser placebo group: 11
Ultrasound group: 12
Ultrasound placebo group: 12
No therapy group: 11
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GaAs |
904 nm |
Pulse duration 200 ns
Pulse frequency 1953 Hz
Peak power 90 mw
Average output 30 mw
Power density 22.5 mw/cm2
Energy dose 18 J/session
Spot size 4 cm2
Laser probe 4 cm2
Time 600 seconds
|
5 times/week
2 weeks
10 sessions
|
12 weeks |
Momenzadeh et al.44 Momenzadeh S, Akhyani V, Razaghi Z. Evaluation of the effects of intravenous and percutaneous low level laser therapy in the management of shoulder myofascial pain syndrome: A controlled randomized clinical trial. J Lasers Med Sci. 2016;7(1):16-20.
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n=30 with myofascial pain Laser intervention group: 10
Intravenous laser intervention group: 10
Placebo group: 10
|
GaALAs |
810 nm |
Continuous mode
Power 60 mw
Energy density 20.35 J/cm2
Time 300 seconds each point
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1 every 2 days except friday
12 sessions
|
1 and 3 months |