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Evidence summaries

Laser Therapy for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Laser therapy (904 nm) is probably not effective for musculoskeletal disorders. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 21 RCTs with a total of 811 subjects was abstracted in DARE. There was no demonstrable effectiveness of 904 nm laser therapy over placebo, sham treatment or other treatment modalities in any of the studied diseases.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (several issues) and by inconsistency (heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes).

    References

    • de Bie RA, Verhagen AP, Lenssen AF, de Vet HC, van den Wilderberg FA, Kootstra G, Knipschild PG. Efficacy of 904 nm laser therapy in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. Psysical Therapy Reviews 1998;3:59-72. [DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords