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This study aimed to assess the effects of High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on individuals suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). A search was conducted across six electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on HILT for TMDs: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, the PEDro database and Google Scholar (last updated on July 18, 2024). Eligible studies were chosen by independent reviewers, and their quality was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool (RoB). The main outcome was pain intensity (VAS), with secondary outcomes including mouth opening (mm), disability (JFLS-20), and quality of life (OHIP-14). A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the pooled effect by calculating mean differences (MD) for these variables (95% confidence level). The heterogeneity of the meta-analyses was explored using the I 2 statistic. Three studies met the selection criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The main RoB was the blinding of participant and treaters. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in favor of HILT were observed for VAS and maximum mouth opening. The pooled effect showed an MD of -14.8 mm (95% CI:-27.1,-2.5) for pain intensity and 3.7 mm (95% CI:0.9,6.5) for mouth opening, changes that were assessed as clinically important. According to GRADE, the evidence was rated as important, and the certainty was moderate due to the heterogeneity between studies. A sensitivity analysis was not performed to address heterogeneity, primarily due to the limited availability of RCTs. HILT has been found effective in short-term pain relief and improvement of jaw opening in TMDs, potentially enhancing quality of life by facilitating activities such as chewing, jaw mobility, and communication. However, further research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness. Combining HILT with interventions such as occlusal splints or therapeutic exercises could potentially enhance its effects, leveraging the existing evidence supporting these treatments. It is important to note that the high RoB associated with the lack of blinding of participants and treaters may influence data collection, compromising the internal validity of findings in some studies., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on pain, disability, and range of movement in patients with neck pain. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of HILT for neck pain disorders were searched across databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, the PEDro database, and Google Scholar (updated January 7, 2024). The main outcome was pain intensity, with neck disability and cervical range of motion as secondary outcomes. Researchers reviewed article titles and abstracts from different databases using the Rayyan web app. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and evidence-based recommendations were developed using the GRADE approach. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled effect in terms of mean differences (MD) for the outcomes of interest, along with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Twenty studies met the selection criteria and were potentially eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. At the end of the treatment, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.01) pooled MD of -14.1 mm for pain intensity (17 RCTs) with the VAS (95% CI:-18.4,-9.7), 3.9° (95% CI:1.9,6.7) for cervical extension (9 RCTs), and -8.3% (95% CI:-14.1,-4.1) for disability diminish (12 RCTs) with the neck disability index in favor of HILT. Only the results for pain intensity are in line with the minimal clinically important differences (MCID) reported in the literature. Overall, the evidence was deemed significant but with low certainty, attributed to observed heterogeneity and some risk of bias among the RCTs. HILT demonstrates effectiveness in reducing neck pain and disability while enhancing cervical extension when added to other physical therapy interventions, especially therapeutic exercise, based on a moderate level of evidence. This review highlights that the most favorable results are obtained when HILT is employed to address myofascial pain, cervical radiculopathy and chronic neck pain.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023387394 (Registration date, 14/01/2023)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in patients with frozen shoulder. PRISMA guidelines were adhered to, and a systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Science Direct, and PEDro databases (last update: September 4, 2023; search period: December 2022-September 2023). The inclusion criteria encompassed RCTs comparing HILT with other physical therapy interventions in frozen patients with frozen shoulders, with or without sham HILT, assessing pain intensity, shoulder ROM, and disability outcomes. The quality of the RCTs was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Five trials met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review and meta-analysis, which pooled results from the visual analog scale (VAS), goniometry, and the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Mean differences (MDs) for pain intensity and disability show a pooled effect in favor of HILT both for VAS (MD =  - 2.23 cm, 95% CI: - 3.25, - 1.22) and SPADI (MD =  - 10.1% (95% CI =  - 16.5, - 3.7), changes that are statistical (p < 0.01) and clinical. The MD for flexion (MD = 9.0°; 95% CI: - 2.36°, 20.3°; p = 0.12), abduction (MD = 3.4°; 95% CI: - 6.9°, 13.7°; p = 0.51), and external rotation (MD =  - 0.95°; 95% CI: - 5.36°, 3.5°; p = 0.67) does not show statistical and clinical differences between groups after treatment. PI and disability changes were graded as important due to their clinical and statistical results. HILT into a physical therapy plan reduce pain and disability, but it does not outperform conventional physical therapy in improving shoulder ROM. It is suggested that future RCTs compare the effects of HILT and LLLT to assess their possible differences in their analgesic effects., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal disorder known for its significant disability and economic burden, ranking second only to low back pain in musculoskeletal conditions. Physical therapy offers effective interventions for CNNP, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT). High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) is a recent treatment for musculoskeletal pain, but studies that support its use in CNNP are limited. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of high-intensity laser therapy on pain intensity in patients with CNNP, given the existing evidence on LLLT for this condition., Methods: This is a 2-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with blinded evaluators. The research will be carried out in the laboratory of physical agents at the Andrés Bello University, Campus Casona de las Condes. Eligible participants include the entire internal and external community associated with Andrés Bello University suffering from chronic non-specific NP. Participants will be stratified by sex (4 subgroups) and randomized into 2 study groups: group 1 (HILT and stretching exercises) and group 2 (sham HILT and stretching exercises). Treatments will be performed twice a week for 4 weeks with 3 assessments: before treatment (T0), at the end of treatment (T1), and 12 weeks after treatment (follow-up) (T2). The main outcomes will be pain intensity at rest, pain intensity at movement (active cervical movements: flexion, extension, right and left side bending, and right and left rotation), and pain pressure threshold (average obtained for six evaluation points). Secondary outcome measures will include neck range of motion in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes and neck disability., Discussion: In this study, HILT's effects on patients with non-specific NP will be compared to those of a sham laser intervention. This RCT will offer new evidence regarding the potential benefits of HILT in terms of pain intensity, range of movement, and disability in people suffering with non-specific NP., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05689788. January 19, 2023., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)