The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of biostimulating, analgesic and noninvasive high intensity laser therapy on pain, functionality and quality of life in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Participants between the ages of 18-75 and without any cognitive, communication and psychiatric problems were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups and both received conventional physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for 3 weeks, 5 sessions a week. The treatment program applied was as followed; the control Group (n = 25): conventional physiotherapy and study Group (n = 25): conventional physiotherapy and High-intensity Laser Therapy (HILT). Upper extremity range of motion was evaluated with 'goniometer', pain threshold with 'algometer, muscle strength with 'myometer'; disability status with 'The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)'.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of biostimulating, analgesic and noninvasive high intensity laser therapy on pain, functionality and quality of life in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Participants between the ages of 18-75 and without any cognitive, communication and psychiatric problems were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups and both received conventional physiotherapy and rehabilitation program for 3 weeks, 5 sessions a week. The treatment program applied was as followed; the control Group (n = 25): conventional physiotherapy and study Group (n = 25): conventional physiotherapy and High-intensity Laser Therapy (HILT). Upper extremity range of motion was evaluated with 'goniometer', pain threshold with 'algometer, muscle strength with 'myometer'; disability status with 'The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)'.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
56
Conventional therapy (CT) included application of 15 minutes of hot-pack, 20 minutes of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, 5 minutes of ultrasound, 20 minutes of interference current with vacuum electrodes, and exercises.
HILT stimulates oxidation of mitochondria and ATP creation by delivering high energy output inside the tissues and with this photochemistry effect, metabolism and blood circulation is increased resulting HILT to cause quick absorption of edema and removal of exudates. HILT (BTL 6000, BTL Industries, Inc., USA) application was to the shoulder area in the analgesic mode of the device at a frequency of 25 Hz with a power of 10 W and a dosage of 12 j/cm2 for 2 minutes: 5 sessions a week for 3 weeks and 15 sessions in total.
Cadde Medical Center
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in range of motion from baseline to week 3
The range of motion of the joints in the upper extremities will be measured using the universal goniometer before and after the treatment.
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change in pain threshold from baseline to week 3
The pain threshold will be measured with a digital algometer device. Algometers are devices that can be used to identify the pressure and/or force eliciting a pressure-pain threshold. It has been noted in pressure-pain threshold studies that the rate at which manual force is applied should be consistent to provide the greatest reliability.
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change in disability of the upper extremity from baseline to week 3
Disability of the upper extremities will be assessed with 'The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Questionnaire'. It is a self-administered region-specific outcome instrument developed as a measure of self-rated upper-extremity disability and symptoms. The questionnaire was designed to help describe the disability experienced by people with upper-limb disorders and also to monitor changes in symptoms and function over time. The 30-item questionnaire includes 21 physical function items, 6 symptom items, and 3 social/role function items. Each 30 items are marked from 1 (No Difficulty) to 5 (Unable). DASH are added to form the raw, or actual, score. A minimum score is 30; a maximum is 150. The range of the scores, therefore-from 30 to 150-equals 120. The raw score is then transformed to a zero-to-100 scale with zero reflecting no disability (good function) and 100 reflecting maximum disability.
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change in muscle strength from baseline to week 3
The muscle strength of shoulder flexion, abduction, adduction, external and internal rotation movements will be evaluated by using the Baseline Push-Pull (New York) dynamometer. Results will be calculated in kg (1 lb = 0.454 kg). The patient's arm will be stabilized and the patient will be asked to show maximum resistance within 2 sec against the dynamometer placed and then hold it for 5 seconds at this position and power. The measurement will be repeated twice and recorded with the average of these two values.
Time frame: 3 weeks
Change in health status from baseline to week 3
In the evaluation of the health status of the individuals the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used. SF-36 is a questionnaire developed to self-evaluate the quality of life. It consists of 36 items in total and has eight sub-parameters. Subscales are scored between 0 and 100, and higher scores indicate higher quality of life.
Time frame: 3 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.