USING LLLT TO TREAT CHRONIC PAIN

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) with interferential current (IF) in the treatment of CRPS (sometimes called RSD). CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, is a severe and chronic pain condition that has few successful medical interventions.
In this controlled study 45 patients with unilateral CRPS were treated with LLLT. Group A was treated with LLLT and group B was treated with IF. There was a statistically significant improvement with both groups, but the decrease in pain was significantly higher in the laser group.

This study shows three important findings:
    •    Laser is effective treating serious chronic pain conditions;
    •    Laser and Interferential both have benefit;
    •    Laser is superior to Interferential with chronic pain.

This study supports the work of Dr. Basford from Mayo Clinic showing successful treatment of CRPS with laser. It also supports prior studies showing that laser is generally superior to electrical stimulation, with the caveat that some studies show laser plus electrical stimulation has a synergistic effect.
(Vojnosanit Pregl. 2010 Sep;67(9):755-60)