https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2024.13107
Low level laser therapy and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis study
Submitted: 15 September 2024
Accepted: 4 October 2024
Published: 21 November 2024
Accepted: 4 October 2024
Abstract Views: 0
PDF: 0
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), focusing on its effects on pain relief, grip strength, and morning stiffness. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, yielding 3,111 articles. After eliminating duplicates and screening titles and abstracts, 94 full-text articles were assessed, and 23 studies met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Of these, 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Data were extracted and analyzed using a random-effects model, with pooled Mean Differences (MD) calculated for the primary outcomes. The meta-analysis revealed that LLLT did not significantly reduce pain compared to placebo (MD = 0.00, 95% CI [-0.09, 0.09], p = 0.97). However, LLLT significantly improved grip strength (MD = -12.38, 95% CI [-17.42, -7.34], p < 0.01) and reduced morning stiffness (MD = -0.84, 95% CI [-1.33, -0.36], p < 0.01), despite substantial heterogeneity in these outcomes. LLLT shows promise in improving grip strength and reducing morning stiffness in RA patients, though it does not significantly impact pain relief. These findings highlight the potential role of LLLT as an adjunctive treatment for RA, with further research needed to optimize treatment protocols and clarify underlying mechanisms.
Dogan SK, Saime AY, Evcik D. The effectiveness of low laser therapy in subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized placebo controlled double-blind prospective study. Clinics 2010;65:1019-22.
Kulekcioglu S, Sivrioglu K, Ozcan O, Parlak M. Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorder. Scandinav J Rheumatol 2003;32:114-8.
Okur S, Okumus Z. Effects of low-level laser therapy and therapeutic ultrasound on Freund's complete adjuvant-induced knee arthritis model in rats. Arch Rheumatol 2023;38:32-43.
Abdel-Wahhab KG, Daoud EM, El Gendy A, et al. Efficiencies of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Gabapentin in the Management of Peripheral Neuropathy: Diabetic Neuropathy. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2018;186:161-73.
Makihara E, Makihara M, Masumi S, Sakamoto E. Evaluation of facial thermographic changes before and after low-level laser irradiation. Photomed Laser Surg 2005;23:191-5.
Hsieh YL, Cheng YJ, Huang FC, Yang CC. The fluence effects of low-level laser therapy on inflammation, fibroblast-like synoviocytes, and synovial apoptosis in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Photomed Laser Surg 2014;32:669-77.
Raafat BM, Aziz SW, Latif NA, Hanafy AM. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after usage of low level laser therapy (LLLT). Austral J Basic Appl Sci 2011;5:1-8.
Szewczyk D, Sadura-Sieklucka T, Sokołowska B, Księżopolska-Orłowska K. Improving the quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis after rehabilitation irrespective of the level of disease activity. Rheumatol Internat 2021;41:781-6.
Burduli NN, Burduli NM. [The influence of intravenous laser irradiation of the blood on the dynamics of leptin levels and the quality of life of the patients presenting with rheumatoid arthritis]. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 2015;92:11-3.
Fangel R, Vendrusculo-Fangel LM, de Albuquerque CP, et al. Low level laser therapy for reducing pain in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Fisioterapia em Movimento 2019;32.
Brosseau L, Robinson V, Wells G, et al. Low level laser therapy (classes I, II and III) for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005(4).
Elnaggar RK, Mahmoud WS, Abdelbasset WK, et al. Low-energy laser therapy application on knee joints as an auxiliary treatment in patients with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a dual-arm randomized clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci 2022;37:1737-46.
Alves ACA, De Carvalho PDTC, Parente M, et al. Low-level laser therapy in different stages of rheumatoid arthritis: A histological study. Lasers Med Sci 2013;28:529-36.
Zhang R, Qu J. The Mechanisms and Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy for Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24:14293.
Zuckerman MD, Boyle KL, Rosenbaum CD. Minocycline Toxicity: Case Files of the University of Massachusetts Medical Toxicology Fellowship. J Med Toxicol 2012;8:304-9.
dos Anjos LMJ, Salvador PA, de Souza AC, et al. Modulation of immune response to induced-arthritis by low-level laser therapy. J Biophoton 2019;12:e201800120.
Clijsen R, Brunner A, Barbero M, Clarys P, Taeymans J. Effects of low-level laser therapy on pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2017;53:603-610.
Balbinot G, Schuch CP, do Nascimento PS, et al. Photobiomodulation therapy partially restores cartilage integrity and reduces chronic pain behavior in a rat model of osteoarthritis: involvement of spinal glial modulation. Cartilage 2021;13:1309S-21S.
Wan Z, Zhang P, Lv L, Zhou Y. NIR light-assisted phototherapies for bone-related diseases and bone tissue regeneration: A systematic review. Theranostics 2020;10:11837-61.
Chen JL, Hsu CC, Chen WCC, et al. Intra-articular laser therapy may be a feasible option in treating knee osteoarthritis in elderly patients. Biomed Res Internat 2022;2022:3683514.
Chia WC, Chang CH, Hou WH. Effects of laser therapy on rheumatoid arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Physical Med Rehabil 2021;100:1078-86.
Wickenheisser VA, Zywot EM, Rabjohns EM, et al. Laser light therapy in inflammatory, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune disease. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2019;19:37.
Pan TC, Tsai YH, Chen WC, Hsieh YL. The effects of laser acupuncture on the modulation of cartilage extracellular matrix macromolecules in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. PLoS ONE 2019;14:e0211341.
Lopez Baumann S, Tabibian D, Hashemi K, et al. Thermocautery capsulotomy in a child with juvenile arthritis-related cataract. Klinische Monatsblatter Augenheilkunde 2019;236:407-9.
Du GM, Liu MY, Qi Y, et al. BMP4 up-regulated by 630 nm LED irradiation is associated with the amelioration of rheumatoid arthritis. J Photochem Photobiol B-Biol 2024;250.
Gomes BS, Gonçalves AB, Lanza SZ, et al. Effects of photobiomodulation associated with platelet-rich plasma in acute rheumatoid arthritis induced in female wistar rats' knee. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2024;42:585-92.
Nowak SM, Sacco R, Mitchell FL, et al. The effectiveness of autologous platelet concentrates in prevention and treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: A systematic review. J Cranio-Maxillofac Surg 2024;52:671-91.
Retameiro ACB, Neves M, Tavares ALF, et al. Resistance exercise and low-level laser therapy improves grip strength and morphological aspects in the ankle joint of Wistar rats with experimental arthritis. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023;306:918-32.
Barber T, Phys GD, Jahanbani S. Physiotherapy and knee osteoarthritis. British Columbia Med J 2024;66:165-70.
Lourinho I, Sousa T, Jardim R, et al. Effects of low-level laser therapy in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Plos One 2023;18:e0291345.
Melo J, Coelho C, Nunes F, et al. A scoping review on hyposalivation associated with systemic conditions: the role of physical stimulation in the treatment approaches. BMC Oral Health 2023;23:505.
Zhang KB, Liang F, Qaria MA, et al. Roles of 630 nm red light-emitting diode in inhibition of RhoA signal transduction pathway via reducing PLEKHG5 expression and alleviation of inflammatory response in macrophages. J Biolog Regul Homeostatic Agents 2022;36:1419-26.
Cabaña-Muñoz ME, Pelaz Fernández MJ, Parmigiani-Cabaña JM, et al. Adult mesenchymal stem cells from oral cavity and surrounding areas: types and biomedical applications. Pharmaceutics 2023;15:2109.
Chickermane PR, Panjikaran ND, Balan S. Role of rehabilitation in comprehensive management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: when and how? Indian JRheumatol 2023;18:S44-S53.
Labadie JG, Ibrahim SA, Worley B, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for laser-assisted drug delivery. JAMA Dermatol 2022;158:1193-201.
Liu QN, Wu H, Zhang HX, et al. Heat shock protein is associated with inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production by 630 nm light-emitting diode irradiation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes based on RNA sequencing analysis. Photobiomodulation Photomed Laser Surg 2022;40:751-62.
Sakata S, Kunimatsu R, Tsuka Y, et al. High-frequency near-infrared diode laser irradiation suppresses IL-1 beta-induced inflammatory cytokine expression and NF-kappa B signaling pathways in human primary chondrocytes. Lasers Med Sci 2022;37:1193-201.
Dillenburg CS, Martins MAT, Almeida LO, et al. Epigenetic modifications and accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks in oral lichen planus lesions presenting poor response to therapy. Medicine (United States) 2015;94:e997.
dos Santos SA, Vieira MAD, Simoes MCB, et al. Photobiomodulation therapy associated with treadmill training in the oxidative stress in a collagen-induced arthritis model. Lasers Med Sci 2017;32:1071-9.
How to Cite
Salajegheh, A., Yahyaabadi, F. Y., & Yazdi, F. (2024). Low level laser therapy and rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. European Journal of Translational Myology. https://doi.org/10.4081/ejtm.2024.13107
Copyright (c) 2024 the Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.