Introduction
Methods
Search strategy
Study selection and data extraction
Study quality
Result
Literature search
Author | Disease category | Disorder | Sex/Age | Combination therapy | Laser/(LED) | Treatment duration | Key outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zaizar et al., 2018 [30] | Neuropsychiatric | Fear and anxiety | NM / 18–65 | Exposure therapy | 1064 nm, 120 J/cm2, 0.25 W/cm2 | NM | Combination therapy improved the outcomes of exposure therapy in pathological fear cases |
Zaizar et al., 2023 [31] | Neuropsychiatric | Fear | F / 18 – 65 | Exposure therapy | 1064 nm, 120 J/cm2 | NM | Stimulation of dlPFC and vmPFC regions did not enhance exposure therapy outcome |
De Marchi et al., 2023 [32] | Neuropsychiatric | Stress | F / 44.81 ± 10.77 | Static magnetic field & Pilates | 905 nm, 0.085 J/cm2 (875 nm, 2.22 J/cm2 and 640 nm, 2.77 J/cm2) | 12 weeks (2/week) | Increased urinary tract`s muscle strength and tone; Improved quality of life and decreased urinary lost |
Arakelyan, 2005 [33] | Neurodegenerative | AD | M, F / 73.1 | Magnetic field & Light chromo therapies | 633 nm | 6 courses delivered over 18 months, 15 procedures per course | Combination therapy by magnetic field but not light chromo therapy improved outcomes of ADAS-Cog test in AD patients |
Nagy et al., 2021 [34] | Neurodegenerative | AD | M, F / 69.50 | Aerobic exercise | 650 nm | 12 weeks (1/week) | Improved Hb level, MoCa – B basic, quality of life for AD scale and Berg Balance scale scores; Significant reduction in BMI and WHR |
Tamae et al., 2020 [35] | Neurodegenerative | PD | NM / 30—80 | Vacuum therapy | 670, 808 nm | 3 weeks (2/week) | Improved muscle pain in parkinsonians; Affected positively the quality of life |
Hong et al., 2021 [36] | Neurodegenerative | PD | F / 67.53 ± 8.83 | Molecular hydrogen water | 940 nm, 6 mW/cm2 | 2 weeks | UPDRS scores began decreasing from the first week, after 1 week of therapy cessation, UPDRS scores slightly increased but the improvement remained significant compared with the baseline |
Casalechi et al., 2020 [37] | Ischemia | Stroke | M, F / 45 – 60 | Magnetic field | 905nm, 0.71 mW/cm2 (875 nm, 19.44 mW/cm2 and 640 nm, 16.67 mW/cm2, 1.27, 3.8, 6.35 J/cm2) | 4 weeks (4/week) | Positive acute effects on functional mobility in stroke survivors; Improved the 6MWT and TUG tests using a total energy of 30J per site |
Ashrafi et al., 2020 [38] | Ischemia | Stroke | M, F / 63.5 ± 14.3 | Low frequency electromagnetic field | 840 nm | 5 days | Combination therapy improved mRS, MMSE and Barthel’s index in stroke cases |
Paolillo et al., 2022 [39] | Ischemia | Stroke | M, F / 59 ± 11 | Neuromuscular electrical stimulation | 660, 808, 980 nm, 360 J/cm2 | 3 months (1/week) | Improved cognitive function, pain relief, greater manual dexterity, physical and social emotional health which lead to better quality of life and well-being |
Dumont et al., 2022 [40] | Ischemia | Stroke | M, F / 58.5 ± 10.04 | Static magnetic field | 905 nm, 0.054, 0.162, 0.271 J/cm2 640 nm, 1.27, 3.8, 6.35 J/cm2 875 nm, 1.48, 4.43, 7.41 J/cm2 | 4 weeks | Improvement was observed in the kinematic variable of the hip in the paretic and non-paretic limbs |
da Silva et al., 2020 [41] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | M, F / 36.3 ± 15.1 | Physiotherapy | 808 nm, 983 J/cm2, 4.72 W/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Leads to better sensory-motor recovery; Increased surface sensitivity, muscle strength, muscle contraction and quality of life |
Author | Disease category | Disorder | Sex/Age | Combination therapy | Laser/(LED) | Treatment duration | Key outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aghamohammadi et al., 2012 [42] | Pain | Trigeminal neuralgia | NM / 30–70 | Ganglion block | 890 nm | 6 months 12 sessions | Decreased the severity of pain, dose of carbamazepine; Increased the period of a pain-free state |
Ebrahimi et al., 2018 [43] | Pain | Trigeminal neuralgia | M, F / NM | Carbamazepine | 810 nm, 6.36 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (3/week) | Decreased pain severity with time |
Stergioulas 2007 [44] | Pain | Lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 45.2 ± 2.86 | Exercises | 904 nm, 2.4 J/cm2 | 8 weeks 12 sessions | A significant decrease of pain at rest, palpation and pain on isometric testing, middle finger test and pain during grip strength test; A significant increase in the wrist range of motion |
Celik et al., 2019 [45] | Pain | Lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 48.2 ± 9.4 | Exercises | 904 nm, 2.4 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Improved elbow extension, shoulder flexion strength, VAS, movement and handgrip strength |
Ali et al., 2021 [46] | Pain | lateral epicondylitis | M, F / 44.9 ± 7.3 | Ultrasound | 808, 915 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 12 sessions | Improved the VAS, DASH score and hand grip-strength |
Amanat et al., 2013 [47] | Pain | Orofacial pain | M, F / 47.22 | Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, Muscle relaxants, Carbamazepine | 980 nm, 12.73 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (3/week) | There was no significant additional level of efficacy for the laser in the management of common orofacial pain based on VAS outcomes |
Ceylan et al., 2004 [48] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 34.05 ± 8.25 | Naproxen sodium, Phenbrobomate | 904 nm, 1.44 J/cm2 | 10 days | Increased the VAS values, 5-HIAA and 5-HT + 5-HTP excretion; Reduced pain |
Sumen et al., 2015 [49] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 41.66 ± 9.26 | Exercises | 670 nm, 4 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | It was found that pain (according VAS Index) was significantly lower in combination therapy group in comparison to exercise only |
El-sharkawy et al., 2018 [50] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / NM | Ultrasound, Hot pack, Exercise | 905, 808 nm, 16 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Increased the quality of life, pressure pain threshold for temporomandibular join, masseter and anterior temporalis muscles |
Mansourian et al., 2019 [51] | Pain | Myofascial pain syndrome | M, F / 18–60 | Fluoxetine, Clonazepam | 810 nm, 2 J/cm2 | 5 weeks (2/week) | Improved pain and limitation in lateral movements |
Gur et al., 2003 [52] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 35.2 ± 10.51 | Exercise | 1 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Laser therapy seemed to be an effective method in reducing pain and functional disability. However, does not bring any additional benefits to exercise therapy |
Djavid et al., 2007 [53] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 38 | Exercise | 810 nm, 27 J/cm2 | 6 weeks (2/week) | No greater effect of laser therapy plus exercise compared with exercise for any outcome; Reduced pain; Increased lumbar range of movement on the Schober Test and active flexion; Reduced disability |
Ammar 2015 [54] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 42.1 ± 12.8 | Exercise | 850 nm | 6 weeks (2/week) | Improved functional disability, pain and lumbar ROM |
Koldaş Doğan et al., 2017 [55] | Pain | Chronic low back pain | M, F / 52.14 ± 12.13 | Hot pack | 850 nm, 10 J/cm2 650, 785, 980 nm, 3 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (5/week) | Improved pain severity, patient’s and physician’s global assessment, ROM and MODQ scores; Laser therapy provided more improvements in lateral flexion measurements and disability of the patients |
Mohammad Ezz El Dien et al., 2007 [56] | Pain | Primary periarthritis shoulder | M, F / 49.2 ± 5.9 | Electromagnetic field, Exercise | 880 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 2 months (3/week) | Improved all shoulder parameters (pain, tenderness, range of motion and function) |
Otadi et al., 2012 [57] | Pain | Shoulder tendonitis | F / 49.48 ± 8.5 | Ultrasound, Exercise | 830 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 10 sessions (3/week) | Improved VAS, TSS, CMS and the muscle strengths |
Eslamian et al., 2012 [58] | Pain | Rotator cuff tendinitis | M, F / 50.16 ± 12.10 | Physiotherapy | 830 nm, 4 J/cm2 | 10 sessions (3/week) | Improved pain (reduction in VAS average) and shoulder disability problems; Improved the patient’s function; No additional advantages were detected in increasing shoulder joint range of motion in comparison to other physical agents |
Dogan et al., 2010 [59] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | M, F / 53.59 ± 11.34 | Cold pack | 850 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 14 sessions (5/week) | Improved pain severity, range of motion except internal and external rotation and SPADI scores |
Abrisham et al., 2011 [60] | Pain | Subacromial syndrome | M, F / 52.2 ± 5.7 | Exercise | 890 nm, 2–4 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Significant post-treatment improvements were achieved in all parameters, in all movements; There was a substantial difference between the groups in VAS scores; Improved the shoulder ROM |
Pekyavas et al., 2016 [61] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | NM / 51.1 ± 14.3 | Manual therapy, Kinesio taping, Exercise | 1064 nm | 15 sessions (3/week) | Minimized pain and disability; Increased ROM and SPADI |
Alfredo et al., 2021 [62] | Pain | Subacromial impingement syndrome | NM / 51.9 ± 8.7 | Exercise | 904 nm | 8 weeks (3/week) | Improved shoulder function; Reduced pain intensity and medication intake |
Ökmen et al., 2017 [63] | Pain | Chronic shoulder pain | M, F / 53 | Exercise | 1064 nm, 100 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (7/week) | Compared to the values of PRT and PST at months 1, 3, and 6, VAS, SPADI, and NHP values were lower |
Teixeira et al., 2022 [64] | Pain | Chronic neck/shoulder pain | M, F / 32.78 ± 9.99 | Magnetic field | 905, 875, 640 nm | 3 weeks (2/week) | Reduced pain intensity (reduction in VAS) in all time points tested; There was no difference in the ROM outcomes |
Kolu et al., 2018 [65] | Pain | Chronic lumbar radiculopathy | M, F / 53.40 ± 10.57 | Hot pack, Exercise | 12, 120 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Decreased pain variation and functionality (VAS and ODI) |
Stasinopoulos et al., 2009 [66] | Pain | Lateral elbow tendinopathy | NM / 18 ≤ | Exercise | 904 nm, 130 mW/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Decline in pain; Increase in function compared with baseline has been observed |
Liu et al., 2014 [67] | Pain | Patellar tendinopathy | M / 18–23 | Exercise | 810 nm, 1592 mW/cm2 | 4 weeks (6/week) | Reduced pain (VAS); Improved function capacity of knee, muscle strength and endurance |
Stergioulas et al., 2008 [68] | Pain | Chronic achilles tendinopathy | M, F / 30.1 ± 4.8 | Exercise | 820 nm, 60 mW/cm2 | 8 weeks 12 sessions | Combination therapy accelerates clinical recovery as tested by VAS; Power densities below 100 mW/cm2 seems to be important for obtaining good results |
Saayman et al., 2011 [69] | Pain | Cervical facet dysfunction | F / 18–40 | Chiropractic joint manipulation therapy | 830 nm, 151 mW/cm2 | 3 weeks (2/week) | The combination therapy was more effective than either of the 2 on their own; Pain disability in everyday life, lateral flexion, and rotation was the main outcomes |
Gu et al., 2017 [70] | Pain | Cervical spondylosis | M, F / 35—71 | Ozone therapy | NM | NM | Decreased preoperative neck and shoulder pain (VAS score) at 1 month period |
Venosa et al., 2019 [71] | Pain | Cervical spondylosis | M, F / 49.76 | Exercise | 1064 nm | 6 weeks (2/week) | Increased cervical ROM; Reduced pain; There was a significant difference in NDI scores; Analgesic effects; Improved function in patients affected by cervical spondylosis |
Yilmaz et al., 2020 [72] | Pain | Cervical pain | M, F / 18–60 | Exercise | 1064 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Improved cervical range of motion and quality of life by reducing pain (ROM, VAS and NPADS values) |
De Carli et al., 2013 [73] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | NM | Piroxicam | 808 nm, 100 J/cm2 | 10 days | Combination therapy was not more effective than single therapies (evaluated by VAS) |
Elgohary et al., 2018 [74] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 60.75 ± 5.09 | Exercise | 950 nm, 7.6 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (5/week) | Improvement in VAS, VCS and UW-QOL questionnaire results |
Brochado et al., 2018 [75] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 46.5 ± 14.4 | Manual therapy | 808 nm, 13.3 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Reduced depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and physical symptoms; Promoted pain relief; Improved mandibular function and jaw disabilities |
Ahmad et al., 2018 [76] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 37.56 ± 8.26 | Ultrasound, Hot pack, Exercise | 905, 808 nm, 16 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Decreased limitations in daily functions; Increased pressure pain threshold for masseter and anterior temporalis muscles |
Panhoca et al., 2019 [77] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 23—66 | Ultrasound | 808 nm, 32.832 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Synergistic treatment was effective in improving the oral health-related quality of life (assessed by the Oral Health Impact Profile) |
Panhóca et al., 2021 [78] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 18—55 | Ultrasound | 808 nm, 684 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Laser combined with ultrasound are effective in the treatment of pain as assessed by analogue pain scale; Assessment of range of motion and assessment of quality of life |
Panhóca et al., 2021 [78] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 18—55 | Vacuum therapy | 808 nm, 684 J/cm2 | 4 weeks (2/week) | Laser combined with vacuum are effective in the treatment of pain as assessed by analogue pain scale; Assessment of range of motion and assessment of quality of life |
Dias et al., 2022 [79] | Pain | Temporomandibular joint pain | M, F / 32.16 ± 8.60 | Orofacial myofunctional therapy | 830 nm, 51 and 34 J/cm2 | 13 sessions | Improved the degree of pain (VAS) and self-perception of the OHQOL |
Matsutani et al., 2007 [80] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 44 | Exercise | 830 nm 3 J/cm2 | 5 weeks (2/week) | Pain reduction; Higher pain threshold at tender points; Lower mean FIQ scores; Higher SF-36 mean scores |
da Silva et al., 2018 [81] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / ≥ 35 | Exercise | 905 nm, 0.75 J/cm2 (640 nm, 5 J/cm2 and 875 nm, 5.83 J/cm2) | 10 weeks (2/week) | Improved pain threshold in several tender points; A more substantial effect was noticed for the combined therapy; Pain relief was accomplished by improving VAS and FIQ scores as well as quality of life |
Germano Maciel et al., 2018 [82] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 30—50 | Exercise | 808 nm, 142.85 J/cm2 | 8 weeks (3/week) | Reduced pain; Improved function, muscular performance, depression, and quality of life; The benefic effects of functional exercise were not improved by combination with LLLT |
Aquino Junior et al., 2021 [83] | Pain | Fibromyalgia | F / 30—65 | Ultrasound | 660 nm | 2 to 10 weekly sessions | Combination therapy was more efficient in improvement in the pain of fibromyalgia as tested by FIQ and VAS |
Paolillo et al., 2015 [84] | Pain | Osteoarthritis | F / 68 ± 6 | Ultrasound, Exercise | 808 nm, 7 J/cm2 | 3 months (1/week) | Grip strength did not differ; Significant decrease of the pain sensitivity |
Gavish et al., 2021 [85] | Pain | Knee pain | M, F / > 18 | Physiotherapy | 810 nm, 142.5 and 180 J/cm2 (660/850 nm, 3 J/cm2) | 4 weeks (2/week) | Reduced pain (VAS); Improved the Kujala score |
Murakami et al., 1993 [86] | Paresis | Facial palsy | M, F / 41.8 ± 4.7 | Ganglion block | 830 nm | NM | The combination therapy showed a similar overall recovery of facial palsy to ganglion block |
Yamada et al., 1995 [87] | Paresis | Facial palsy | NM / 45.1 ± 14.0 | Corticosteroid | 830 nm 36.7, 38.2 and 127.4 J/cm2 | 3–10 weeks | Combination therapy is an ideal adjunct treatment in cases that corticosteroid therapy is mineable |
Ordahan 2017 [88] | Paresis | Bell’s palsy | M, F / 41 ± 9.7 | Exercise | 830 nm, 10 J/cm2 | 6 weeks (3/week) | Improved functional facial movements through the FDI; Decreased recovery times for patients |
Naeser et al., 2002 [89] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 53.5 | Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation | 632.8, 904 nm, 1.81 J/cm2 | 3 to 4 weeks (3/week) | Significant decreases in MPQ score, median nerve Sensory latency, and Phalen and Tinel signs |
Dincer et al., 2009 [90] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 52.2 ± 9.1 | Splinting | 904 nm, 1 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Reduced symptom severity and pain; Increased patient satisfaction using BQ SSS, BQ FSS, VAS, ENMG testing |
Yagci et al., 2009 [91] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 49.47 ± 6.32 | Splinting | 830 nm | 10 sessions | Improved both clinical and NCS parameters (median motor nerve distal latency, median sensory nerve conduction velocities, BQ SSS, and BQ FCS); Provided better outcomes on NCS |
Fusakul et al., 2014 [92] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 50.70 ± 1.39 | Splinting | 810 nm | 5 weeks (3/week) | Improved hand grip strength, distal motor latency of the median nerve and electroneurophysiological parameters at 5 and 12-week follow-up |
Tabatabai et al., 2016 [93] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 48.60 | Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation | 808 nm, 6.5 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Reduced the mean scores of MPQ, VAS, pain severity, and DASH questionnaires |
Güner et al., 2018 [94] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | F / 44.33 ± 9.21 | Kinesiotaping | 685 nm, 5 J/cm2 | 3 weeks (5/week) | Improved VNS daytime, VNS night, FPS, HGS, BQ SSS, BQ FCS parameters at 3th and 12th weeks compared to before treatment; Improved mMA, mSNCV, and mSDL parameters at the 12th week (from ENMG parameters) |
Bartkowiak et al., 2019 [95] | Neuropathy | Carpal tunnel syndrome | M, F / 46.8 ± 10.8 | Exercise | 830 nm, 9 J/cm2 | 2 weeks (5/week) | Declined sensory impairments and pain; Improved hand grip strength, VAS, Boston Questionnaire results, CTS SSS and CTS FSS |
Author | Disease category | Disorder | Species | Sex/Age | Combination therapy | Laser | Treatment duration | Key outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Salehpour et al., 2019 [96] | Neuropsychiatric | Depression | BALB/c mice | M / Adult | CoQ10 | 810 nm, 33.3 J/cm2, 6.66 W/cm2 | 5 days | Antidepressant-like effects; Decreased lipid peroxidation, corticosterone, TNF-α, and IL-6; Enhanced total TAC, GSH levels, GPx and SOD activities in HIP and PFC; The inflammatory response in the HIP and PFC was suppressed, as indicated by decreased NF-kB, p38, and JNK levels; Down-regulated intrinsic apoptosis biomarkers, BAX, Bcl-2, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 and -9 |
Meynaghizadeh-Zargar et al., 2020 [97] | Neuropsychiatric | Chronic mild stress | BALB/c mice | M / 8 weeks | Methylene blue | 810 nm, 8 J/cm2, 4.75 W/cm2 | 4 weeks (3/week) | Anxiolytic effects; Therapeutic effects on mitochondrial dysfunction, learning and memory impairments; Decreased serum cortisol levels, NO production, ROS production, SOD; Increased TAC, GPx |
Farazi et al., 2022 [98] | Neuropsychiatric | Depression | BALB/c mice | M / Adult | Environmental enrichment | 810 nm, 8 J/cm2, 4.75 W/cm2 | 14 days | Antidepressant-like effects; Up-regulated hippocampal BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway |
Moges et al., 2009 [99] | Neurodegenerative | Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis | G93A SOD1 Transgenic mice | NM / 51 days | Riboflavin | 810 nm, 12 J/cm2 | (3/week) | The lack of significant improvement in survival and motor performance indicates interventions were ineffective in altering disease progression |
Lapchak et al., 2008 [100] | Ischemia | Embolic stroke model | New Zealand white rabbits | M / NM | Tissue plasminogen activator | 808 nm, 10 mW/cm2 | NM | Near-infrared laser therapy may be administered safely either alone or in combination with tPA because neither treatment affected hemorrhage incidence or volume |
Li et al., 2014 [101] | Ischemia | Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage | Sprague–Dawley rats | M, F / 3 months | Mesenchymal stem cell | 660 nm, 60 mW/cm2 | 7 days | Diode irradiation promotes migration of the transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells |
Salehpour et al., 2019 [102] | Ischemia | Ischemia | BALB/c mice | M / Adult | CoQ10 | 810 nm, 33.3 J/cm2, 6.66 W/cm2 | 14 days | Improved spatial and episodic memory; Lowered ROS levels; Increased ATP and general mitochondrial activity as well as biomarkers of mitochondrial biogenesis including SIRT1, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM; Decreased inflammatory responsiveness, iNOS, TNF-α and IL-1β levels |
Menovsky et al., 2003 [103] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Wistar rats | M | Solder and suture materials | CO2 laser | NM | Leads to optimal early histological results and least foreign-body reaction at the repair site |
Duke et al., 2012 [104] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Sprague–Dawley rats | M | Electrical stimulation | 1875 nm | NM | Reduces the laser power requirements and mitigates the risk of thermal damage while maintaining spatial selectivity |
Dias et al., 2013 [105] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Wistar rats | M | Natural latex protein | 780 nm, 15 J/cm2, 0.75 W/cm2 | 6 sessions (Alternate days) | Improved the myelin density and morphological characteristics; The capillary density and ultrastructural characteristics were similar to the control group |
Yang et al., 2016 [106] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Sprague–Dawley rats | M / Adult | Mesenchymal stem cells | 660 nm, 9 J/cm2 | 7 days | Provided greater functional recovery; Potentiated recovery in SFI, VA and AA; Increased electrophysiological function and expression of S100 immunoreactivity; Reduced the inflammatory cells |
Dias et al., 2015 [107] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Wistar rats | M | Latex protein | 780 nm, 15 J/cm2, 0.75 W/cm2 | 6 sessions (Alternate days) | Improvement of the nerve characteristics including the morphometric and ultrastructural characteristics of nerve fibers |
Muniz et al., 2015 [108] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Wistar rats | M | Natural latex protein | 780 nm, 15 J/cm2, 0.75 W/cm2 | 12 days (6/48 h) | Improved muscle fiber atrophy; Increased light fiber area and reduced dark fiber area |
de Souza et al., 2018 [109] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Swiss mice | M / Adult | Dexamethasone | 660 nm, 10 J/cm2 | 28 days | Improved nerve regeneration through the SSI and SFI assessments |
Dias et al., 2019 [110] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Wistar rats | M / 2 months | Natural latex protein | 780 nm, 15 J/cm2, 0.75 W/cm2 | 6 sessions (Alternate days) | Improved nerve fiber regeneration; Reduced the number, density, diameter and organization of nerve fibers; Increased NGF, VEGF |
de Souza et al., 2021 [111] | Nerve injury | Sciatic nerve crush | Swiss mice | M / 3 months | Simvastatin | 660 nm, 10 J/cm2 | 28 days | Sciatic functional index, thermal heat hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermographic were evaluated; The results showed that PBM alone was more effective compared to Simvastatin alone or combination |
Souza et al., 2013 [112] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Wistar rats | M / 20—21 weeks | Monosialoganglioside | NM | 42 days | Combination therapy shows no superior functional, neurological or histological results |
Janzadeh et al., 2017 [113] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Wistar rats | M / Adult | Chondroitinase ABC | 660 nm, 0.5 J/cm2, 0.819 W/cm2 | 14 days | Improved motor function recovery, myelination and number of axons; Decreased GSK3β, CSPG, and AQP4 expression |
Pedram et al., 2018 [114] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Fischer-344, Wistar rats | M / 8 – 12 weeks | Meloxicam | 810 nm, 6 J/cm2, 200 mW/cm2 | 2 weeks | Increased BBB test results; Histological findings revealed no significant difference between all study groups |
Sarveazad et al., 2019 [115] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Wistar rats | M / Adult | Human adipose derived stem cells | 660 nm | 2 weeks | Improved the motor function, SCI-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia; Increased the GDNF, GABA receptors and Gad65 expression level; Reduced the expression of GSK3β, IL-6, AQP4 |
Janzadeh et al., 2020 [116] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Wistar rats | M / Adult | Chondroitinase ABC | 660 nm, 22.8 J/cm2, 500 mW/cm2 | 2 weeks | Reduced allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia; Improved functional recovery; Did not reduce mechanical hyperalgesia; Decreased BDNF and IL-6; Increased Gad65 and GDNF; Reduced neuropathic pain; Improved movement |
Chen et al., 2021 [117] | Nerve injury | Spinal cord injury | Sprague–Dawley rats | M / 12 weeks | Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells | 630 nm, 100 mW/cm2 | 14 days | Improved neurofilament structure and arrangement; Promoted motor function and neuronal recovery; Increased the expression of NF‐200, glial fibrillary acidic protein in the damaged area and the BBB scores; Nissl bodies were more numerous and the nerve fibers were longer and thicker; Reduced lesions volume and secondary damage; Promoted functional recovery |
Dong et al., 2015 [118] | Nerve injury | Traumatic brain injury | C57BL/6 mice | NM / 8 weeks | Lactate / Pyruvate | 810 nm, 36 J/cm2, 150 mW/cm2 | NM | Retained memory and learning activities of injured mice to a normal level; Low levels of glycolysis; Increased ATP; Reduced formation of ROS and apoptosis in neurons |
Buchaim et al., 2016 [119] | Nerve injury | Facial nerve injury | Wistar rats | M / 60 days | Heterologous fibrin sealant | 830 nm, 6 J/cm2, 258.6 mW/cm2 | 5 weeks (3/week) | Combination group presented the closest results to the control, in all nerve morphometry indexes (regeneration), except in the axon area |
de Oliveira Rosso et al., 2017 [120] | Nerve injury | Facial nerve injury | Wistar rats | M / 80 days | Heterologous fibrin sealant | 830 nm, 6.2 J/cm2, 0.26 W/cm2 | 5 weeks (3/week) | A significant difference in the fiber nerve area; The functional recovery of whisker movement; Accelerated morphological and functional nerve repair |
Jameie et al., 2014 [121] | Pain | Neuropathic pain (Chronic constriction injury model) | Wistar rat | M / Adult | CoQ10 | 980 nm, 4 J/cm2, 0.248 W/cm2 | 2 weeks | Cellular and molecular synergism on pain relief; Increased thermal and mechanical sense thresholds |
Noma et al., 2020 [122] | Pain | Neuropathic pain (Trigeminal nerve injury) | Sprague–Dawley Wistar rat | M / 5–6 weeks | Oxytocin | 810 nm, 0.1 W | 3 days | The expanded area of cortical excitation caused by model was suppressed by combination therapy but not by each treatment alone; Combined application is effective in relieving the neuropathic pain |
Martins et al., 2020 [123] | Pain | Orofacial pain | Wistar rats | M / 2 months | Vitamins B complex | 904 nm, 6 J/cm2 | 10 sessions | Maximal antiallodynic effect; Improved the nociceptive behavior; Down-regulated expression of GFAP, Iba-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; Increased IL-10 expression |
de Freitas Dutra Júnior et al., 2022 [124] | Pain | Calcaneus tendon injury | Wistar rats | NM / 60 days | Heterologous fibrin biopolymer | 660 nm, 6 J/cm2, 1 W/cm2 | 3 weeks (1/week) | Reduced the volume of the edema; Stimulate the repair process; Tenocyte proliferation, granulation tissue and collagen formation were observed in the PTCT area |
Study characteristics
Study quality and risk of bias
Authors | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5 | Q6 | Q7 | Q8 | Q9 | Q10 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 1 | ||||||
de Oliveira Rosso, 2017 [120] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Menovsky, 2003 [103] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Buchaim, 2016 [119] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Chen, 2021 [117] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
de Freitas Dutra Júnior, 2022 [124] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
de Souza, 2021 [111] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
de Souza, 2018 [109] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Dias, 2013 [105] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Dias, 2015 [107] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Dias, 2019 [110] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Dong, 2015 [118] | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Duke, 2012 [104] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Farazi, 2022 [98] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Jameie, 2014 [121] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Janzadeh, 2020 [116] | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Janzadeh, 2017 [113] | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Lapchak, 2008 [100] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Martins, 2020 [123] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Meynaghizadeh-Zargar, 2020 [97] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Moges, 2009 [99] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Muniz, 2015 [108] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Noma, 2020 [122] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Pedram, 2018 [114] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Salehpour, 2019 [96] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Salehpour, 2019 [102] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Sarveazad, 2019 [115] | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Souza, 2013 [112] | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Li, 2014 [101] | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Yang, 2016 [106] | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |