Table 1. Clinical Trial Studies Selected for Meta-analysis of 1064 nm Wavelength PBMT .
| Categorical |
Diagnosis
Reference |
Groups | 1064 nm Laser Session | Treatment & Follow-up | PEDroScore a | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knee | Knee osteoarthritis 3307439326; 2020 |
laser + ET n = 20 sham laser + ET n = 20 (double-blinded) |
Analgesic: 12 W, 12 J/cm2 25 Hz for 300 J Biomodulatory: 12 W, 120 J/cm2for 3000 J |
Treatment: 5 x/wk 2 wk Follow-up: EOT, 6 wk |
7* | Pain reduced (VAS & WOMAC) ROM increased Femoral cartilage thickness increased |
| Knee osteoarthritis 3017843237; 2019 |
laser n = 30 ET n = 30 CPT n = 30 (single-blinded) |
5W, 30Hz, 70% duty, 60 J/cm2, 2400 J | Treatment: 3x/wk 12 wk Follow-up: EOT, 12 wk |
6* | Pain reduced Stiffness in knee reduced (WOMAC stiffness) ROM increased |
|
| Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis 3001619328; 2018 |
laser + ET n = 15 sham laser + ET n = 15 (double-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 10.5 W average, 120-150 µs, 20-30Hz, 10 J/cm2, 60 cm2 spot size, 15J per point to 10 points, 1500 J total 8 m/session |
Treatment: 3x/wk 4wk Follow-up: EOT, 12wk |
5* | Pain reduced Gate improved (GAITrite) |
|
| Hemophilic arthropathy 2797659135; 2018 |
laser + PT n = 15 sham laser + PT n = 15 (single-blinded) |
Power level not described, 610 mJ/cm2, 750 J/knee total to both knees 8m/session |
Treatment: 3/wk 12 wk Follow-up: EOT |
6* | Pain reduced Gait improved |
|
| Knee Osteoarthritis 2807850336; 2017 |
laser + GCS + ET n = 23 GCS + ET n = 22 ET n = 22 (single-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 10.5 W average, 510–1780 mJ/cm2, < 120 μs, 10-30 Hz, 0.2cm2 spot size, 3000 J total 7 m/session |
Treatment: 2x/wk 6wk Follow-up: EOT, 3 mon |
6* | Pain reduced (WOMAC) Synovial thickness reduced |
|
| Knee osteoarthritis 2809671134; 2016 |
laser n = 37 sham laser n = 35 (single-blinded) |
3x analgesic sessions: 12 W, 12 J/cm2, 300 J, 25 cm2 treatment area 2 m, 25 Hz 4x bio stimulatory sessions: 12 W, 120 J/cm2, 3000 J, 25 cm2 treatment area, 10 m |
Treatment: 7d Follow-up: EOT, 1mo, 3mos |
5 | Pain reduced (& dolorimetry) | |
| Spine | Non-specific lower back pain 3117830644; 2020 |
laser n = 20 LLLT n = 20 control n = 20 (single-blinded) |
Laser: 12 W, 150 J/cm2, 1 cm2 diameter, 1200 J total, 15 m/session LLLT: 850 nm, 800 mW, 1cm spot, 1 kHz, 80% duty, average of 50 J/cm2, 1200 J total 30 m/session |
Treatments: Laser: 2x/wk 12wk LLLT: 2x/wk 12wk Follow-up: EOT |
6* | Pain reduced Disability reduced Lumbar mobility improved ROM increased QoL improved |
| Cervical disc herniation 3214703732; 2019 |
laser + ET n = 20 ultrasound + TENS + ET n = 20 (single-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 10-40 Hz, 360-1780 mJ/cm2, 120-150 μs, 5 mm diameter analgesic phase at 8 W, 5 J/cm2, 25 Hz, 1850 J total 15 m/session |
Treatment: 5x/wk 4 wk Follow-up: EOT |
5* | Pain reduced QoL improved ROM increased |
|
| Cervical spondylosis 344388332; 2019 |
laser + ET n = 42 ultrasound + TENS + ET n = 42 (single-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 120-150 μs, 10-40 Hz, 510-1780 mJ/cm2, 5 mm spot, 2050 J total 30 m/session |
Treatment: 2x/wk 12 wk Follow-up: 4 wk |
4* | Pain reduced ROM increased Disability reduced (laser the most effective) |
|
| Lower lumbar disc degeneration 3017441840; 2018 |
laser n = 18 sham laser n = 17 LLLT n = 16 sham LLLT n = 17 (single-blinded) |
Laser: 10 W, 60 J/cm2, 1200 J total, 10 m/session LLLT: 65 mW, 785 nm, 8 J/cm2, 8 m/session |
Treatment: 5x/wk 3wks Follow-up: EOT, 1 mon, 3 mon |
8 | No benefits by VAS scores, disability indices, or questionnaires | |
| Lumbar disc protrusion 2885450045; 2018 |
laser + spinal decompression n = 32 spinal decompression n = 31 |
12 W, 150 J/cm2, 1 cm spot, 7500 J total: fast manual scanning 3000 J, then 15000 J, then slow manual scanning 3000 J 10 m/session |
Treatment: 5x/wk 2 wk Follow-up: EOT, 4 wk |
6 | Pain reduced ROM increased |
|
| Chronic neck pain 2691468429; 2016 |
laser + ET n = 30 placebo + ET n = 30 (double-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 510-1780 mJ/cm, 120-150 μs, 10-40 Hz, 0.5 cm diameter, and 0.2 cm2 spot size, 2250 J total over 3 phases (see manuscript), 75 cm2 treated area 15 m/session |
Treatment: 2x/wk 6wk Follow-up: EOT |
4* | Disability reduced ROM increased |
|
| Shoulder Arm |
Subacromial Impingement Syndrome 33400001224; 2021 |
laser + exercise n = 32 sham laser + exercise n = 31 (double-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 360-1780 mJ/cm2, 40 Hz, 2781 J total 25 m/session |
Treatment: 5x/wk 3wk Follow-up: EOT, 12 wk |
8 | Pain reduced ROM increased Strength increased Daily activity increased |
| Subacromial impingement Syndrome 2722057739; 2016 |
laser + MT + KT + EX n = 19 ET n = 15 KT +EX n = 20 MT + KT + EX n = 16 (single-blinded) |
3 kW peak power; 5 mm spot diameter; 3 s phases: fast manual scanning 100cm2/30s of the zones of muscular contracture, particularly trapezius, supraspinatus, and deltoid during shoulder abduction, for 1000 J/cm2, 2nd phase 50 J to each of 4 trigger points; final phase with slow manual scanning 100 cm2/60 s to same first phase areas for 1000 J total - 510, 610, and 710 mJ/cm2 for a total of 2050 J. 30 m/session. |
Treatment: 3x/15d Follow-up: EOT |
6* | Pain reduced (SPALDI) Disability reduced ROM increased |
|
| Lateral epicondylitis 2990093838; 2016 |
laser n = 31 bandage n = 34 (single-blinded) |
75 s at 4 W for 6 J/cm2 Analgesic: targeting painful areas 4 sessions. Biostimulatory: 6x sessions 6 W 100-150 J/cm2 12 m/session |
Treatment: 5x/wk 2wk Follow-up: 6 wk |
5* | Pain reduced, disability reduced, hand strength increased, and QoL improved | |
| Foot | Calcaneal spur 3147809525; 2020 |
laser + ET n = 21 sham laser + ET n = 21 (double-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 360–1780 mJ/cm2, 150 μs, 10.5 W average power, 10-40 Hz, 0.2 cm2 spot size, 1281 J total, 10 m/session | Treatment: 5x/wk 3 wk Follow-up: 4 wk, 12 wk |
7* | Improved pedographic measures |
| Plantar fasciitis 3251301843; 2020 |
laser n = 51 LLLT n = 51 (single-blinded) |
laser: 12 W, 120 J/cm2, 3000 J total, 25 cm2 spot, 7m/session LLLT; 785 nm, 50 mW, 50-60 Hz, 4 J/cm2, 140 J total, 35 cm2 spot, 7 m/session |
Treatment: 3x/wk 8x 3wk Follow-up: EOT, 4 wk |
8* | No statistical difference in pain Laser more effective than LLLT in the opinion of participants |
|
| Plantar fasciitis 2962788831; 2018 |
laser n = 35 LLLT n = 35 (single-blinded) |
laser: 3x analgesic: 8 W, 75s, 6J/cm2, 150 J total; 6x bio-stimulation: 30s, 6 W, 150 J/cm2 dose LLLT: 904 nm, 240 mW, 5000 Hz, 0.16 W/cm2, 160 s per session, 680 J total |
Treatment: 3x/wk 3 wk Follow-up: EOT |
8* | Pain reduced (VAS) Function improved QoL improved (laser all more than LLLT) |
|
| Wound | Caesarian healing in diabetic women 2970670846; 2018 |
laser n = 20 sham laser n = 20 |
10.5 W, 0.5-1.8 J/cm2, 10-40 Hz, 150 μs pulses 10–40 Hz, 150 J first phase, then 1 cm away from wound 20 J per each of 12 points, last phase, same as first, but slow scanning | Treatment: 3x/wk 6 wk Follow-up: EOT |
5* | Wound appearance improved |
| Post-burn pruritus 2823307130; 2017 |
laser n = 25 sham laser n = 24 (double-blinded) |
3k W peak power, 0.5-1.8 J/cm2, 150 μs pulses 10–40 Hz, 0.2 cm2spot size, 3000 J | Treatment: 3/wk 6 wk Follow-up: EOT, 12 wk |
10 | Itch severity reduced QoL improved Pain reduced (VAS) |
|
| Gynecological | Primary dysmenorrhea 2918428127; 2017 |
laser n = 26 PEMF n = 26 (double-blinded) |
3 kW peak power, 810-1780 mJ/cm2, 150 μs, 10–40 Hz, 880 J total 15m/session |
3 treatments per cycle for 3 cycles (3 mon) Follow-up: EOT |
4* | Pain reduced Prostaglandins reduced |
| Bone | Osteoporosis & osteopenia by DEXA scan 2906875642; 2018 |
laser + ET n = 25 sham laser + exercise n = 25 laser only n = 25 placebo n = 25 (single-blinded) |
10.5 W, 510-1780 mJ/cm2, 150µs pulses 10-30 Hz, spot size 0.2 cm2, 3,000J delivered 2x phases: fast scanning at 510, 610, and 710 mJ/cm2 for 1500 J, then slow scanning 18 m/session |
Treatment: 3x/wk 24 wk Follow-up: EOT, 1 y |
Z* | Lumbar bone mineral density improved |
aDatabase retrieved and confirmed PEDro scores based on 10-point scale. ROM-range of motion.