Short-term Efficacy Comparison of High-intensity and Low-intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Study

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Short-term Efficacy Comparison of High-intensity and Low-intensity Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Double-blind Clinical Study

Authors: Ercan Kaydok, Banu Ordahan, Sezin Solum, Ali Yavuz Karahan

Published in: Archives of Rheumatology, 2020

Study Overview

This clinical trial compared high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) to low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) in treating lateral epicondylitis symptoms.

Sixty patients with unilateral lateral epicondylitis were randomized to receive HILT or LILT. Patients were blinded to which treatment they received. Both groups completed 9 treatment sessions in 3 weeks.

HILT Group

Patients received treatment with a 12 W laser. The first 3 sessions used pulsed wave therapy for 75 seconds, 8 W, 6 J/cm². The following 6 sessions used continuous wave therapy for 30 seconds, 6 W, 120-150 J/cm².

LILT Group

Patients received treatment from a laser with an output power of 240 mW. Treatment was given over 6 areas of the lateral epicondyle each about 0.5 cm². Power density was 2.4 J/cm² for 30 seconds per spot.

Study Outcomes

Study outcomes included pain assessment (VAS), upper extremity function (QDASH questionnaire), quality of life (SF-36), and grip strength.

After 3 weeks of treatment, both the HILT and LILT groups showed significant improvement in pain. Pain scores decreased by 59.7% and 53.5% for the HILT and LILT groups, respectively.

Both groups also showed significant improvement in grip strength, QDASH score, and the SF-36 physical component score. However, the HILT group had significantly better outcomes in these functional scores than the LILT group.

It can be concluded from the study that both HILT and LILT are effective treatment options for managing pain and dysfunction in lateral epicondylitis, but HILT can give patients even better functional outcomes than LILT.

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Individual results may vary. Neither DJO, LLC nor any of the Enovis companies dispense medical advice. The contents of this document do not constitute medical, legal, or any other type of professional advice. Rather, please consult your healthcare professional for information on the courses of treatment, if any, which may be appropriate for you.

The opinions expressed herein are independently prepared and for informational purposes only. They are not necessarily indicative of the views of any other party. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors.

*Kevin Wilk, PT, DPT, FAPTA is a paid consultant for Enovis. The opinions and experiences presented here are for informational purposes only.