The effects of low-level laser in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: systematic review
Os efeitos do laser de baixa intensidade no tratamento da síndrome da dor miofascial: revisão sistemática
Marina Gomes Fagundes; Jéssica Rodrigues dos Santos Albuquerque; Emanuelly Juliane Santos Silva; Ana Caroline Victor Dantas; Thiago Bezerra Wanderley e Lima
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Among the approaches inherent to conservative treatment, the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is one of the most used resources in the treatment of myofascial pain. This research sought to search the literature for the available evidence on the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome with LLLT in order to analyze the reported effects of this intervention.
CONTENTS: Medline/PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) by Ebsco was used to search for articles on randomized clinical trials that related myofascial pain syndrome with LLLT. Studies were systematically selected by two reviewers independently, through title, abstract and, later, full text. Ten articles that met the criteria were included in this integrative review. In six of these articles, the improvement in pain compared to placebo group was presented right after LLLT session, although these results did not remain in the follow-ups of the studies that performed follow ups.
CONCLUSION: LLLT seems to be a resource that decreases pain in patients with myofascial pain syndrome. Despite the positive results in reducing pain with the use of LLLT in some studies, this review admits the heterogeneity of studies with conflicting results related to the effectiveness of LLLT. Research that defines the parameters and adequate therapeutic dosages are necessary for a better understanding of the real effects of LLLT on this clinical condition.
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Resumo
JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Das abordagens inerentes ao tratamento conservador, o laser de baixa intensidade (LBI) é um dos recursos mais utilizados no tratamento da dor miofascial. Esta pesquisa buscou avaliar na literatura as evidências disponíveis sobre o tratamento da síndrome da dor miofascial com o LBI para analisar os efeitos reportados dessa intervenção.
CONTEÚDO: Foram utilizadas as bases de dados Medline/Pubmed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Registro Central Cochrane de Ensaios Controlados (CENTRAL) e Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), da Ebsco, para busca de artigos de ensaios clínicos randomizados que relacionassem síndrome da dor miofascial com LBI. Os estudos foram selecionados sistematicamente por dois revisores, independentemente, por meio do título, resumo e, posteriormente, texto completo. Dez artigos que se adequaram aos critérios foram incluídos nessa revisão sistemática. Em seis destes artigos, foi apresentada a melhora da dor comparada ao grupo placebo logo após a sessão de LBI, embora esses resultados não tenham permanecido nos acompanhamentos dos estudos que realizaram follow-ups.
CONCLUSÃO: O LBI parece ser um recurso que diminui a dor em pacientes com síndrome da dor miofascial. Apesar dos resultados positivos na diminuição da dor com o uso do LBI em alguns estudos, esta análise admite a heterogeneidade dos estudos com resultados conflitantes relacionados à efetividade do LBI. Pesquisas que definam os parâmetros e dosagens terapêuticas adequadas são necessárias para um melhor entendimento sobre os reais efeitos do LBI sobre essa condição clínica.
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References
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Submitted date:
11/15/2022
Accepted date:
02/24/2023
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