Lasers in medical science
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Lasers in medical science · Jul 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of the influence of ozone and laser therapies on pain, swelling, and trismus following impacted third-molar surgery.
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the ozone and laser application in the management of pain, swelling, and trismus after third-molar surgery. Sixty consecutive patients with asymptomatic impacted mandibular third molars were recruited into the study. Patients were randomized into three treatment groups of 20 patients each: two study groups (group 1 = low-level laser therapy (LLLT), group 2 = ozone therapy) and a control group (no-LLLT or ozone therapy). ⋯ Ozone application showed no superiority in regards of postoperative swelling; however, LLLT group had significantly lower postoperative swelling. This study demonstrates that ozone and laser therapies are useful for the reduction of postoperative pain and they increase quality of life after third-molar surgery. Although the ozone therapy had no effect on postoperative swelling and trismus after surgical removal of impacted lower third molars, LLLT had a positive effect.
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Lasers in medical science · Mar 2014
An Internet-based survey on characteristics of laser tattoo removal and associated side effects.
Tattoo removal by laser therapy is a frequently performed procedure in dermatological practices. Quality-switched ruby, alexandrite, or Nd:YAG lasers are the most suitable treatment devices. Although these techniques are regarded as safe, both temporary and permanent side effects might occur. ⋯ Our results show that from the patients' point of view there is an important rate of side effects occurring after laser tattoo removal. Appropriate pretreatment counseling with regard to realistic expectations, possible side effects, and the application of test spots is mandatory to ensure patient satisfaction. Laser treatment should be performed by appropriately trained personnel only.
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Lasers in medical science · Mar 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe efficacy of low-level laser therapy for the treatment of myogenous temporomandibular joint disorder.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been commonly used for the treatment of painful musculoskeletal conditions, but the results of previous studies on this subject are controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in the management of patients with myogenic temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 20 patients with myogenic TMD were randomly divided into laser and placebo groups. ⋯ A similar improvement was not observed in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Between-group comparisons revealed no significant difference in pain intensity and mouth opening measurement at any of the evaluation time points (p > 0.05). LLLT can produce a significant improvement in pain level and mouth opening in patients affected with myogenic TMD.
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Lasers in medical science · Mar 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialShort-term therapeutic effects of 890-nanometer light therapy for chronic low back pain: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study.
We conducted a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of short-term 890-nm light therapy in patients with chronic low back pain in a rehabilitation clinic. Thirty-eight women and 22 men with chronic low back pain (mean age, 60.3 years; range, 32-80 years) received 40-min sessions of hot-pack therapy combined with active or placebo 890-nm light therapy (wavelength = 890 nm, radiant power output = 6.24 W, power density = 34.7 mW/cm(2) for 40 min, total energy = 83.2 J/cm(2)) over the lower back three times weekly for 2 weeks. ⋯ Compared to the baseline measurements, participants in the treatment group reported significant reductions in fear-avoidance beliefs regarding physical activity (P = 0.040) and work (P = 0.007) and in the severity of disability (P = 0.021). Treatment with hot-pack therapy and 890-nm light therapy was associated with reductions in the severity of disability and fear avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic low back pain.
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Lasers in medical science · Jan 2014
Comparative StudyEffect of red and near-infrared wavelengths on low-level laser (light) therapy-induced healing of partial-thickness dermal abrasion in mice.
Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) promotes wound healing, reduces pain and inflammation, and prevents tissue death. Studies have explored the effects of various radiant exposures on the effect of LLLT; however, studies of wavelength dependency in in vivo models are less common. In the present study, the healing effects of LLLT mediated by different wavelengths of light in the red and near-infrared (NIR) wavelength regions (635, 730, 810, and 980 nm) delivered at constant fluence (4 J/cm(2)) and fluence rate (10 mW/cm(2)) were evaluated in a mouse model of partial-thickness dermal abrasion. ⋯ Significant acceleration of re-epithelialization and cellular proliferation revealed by immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin-14 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (p < 0.05) was evident in the 810-nm wavelength compared with other groups. Photobiomodulation mediated by red (635 nm) and NIR (810 nm) light suggests that the biological response of the wound tissue depends on the wavelength employed. The effectiveness of 810-nm wavelength agrees with previous publications and, together with the partial effectiveness of 635 nm and the ineffectiveness of 730 and 980 nm wavelengths, can be explained by the absorption spectrum of cytochrome c oxidase, the candidate mitochondrial chromophore in LLLT.