Objective: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with exercise on shoulder pain and disability in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS).
Design: Randomised controlled trial.
Setting: Pontifical Catholic University.
Subjects: We enrolled 120 subacromial impingement syndrome patients.
Intervention: Groups I (n = 42), II (n = 42) and III (n = 36) were treated with Low-level laser therapy and exercise, exercise only and Low-level laser therapy only, respectively. Interventions were conducted three times a week for 8 weeks.
Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the change in shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes included changes in the numeric pain rating scale and medication intake.
Results: Average ages of patients in groups I, II and III were 51.9 ± 8.7 years, 56.0 ± 10.4 years and 54.2 ± 7.1 years, respectively. Pain scores at baseline (P = 0.829), 2 months (P = 0.057) and 3 months follow-ups (p = 0.004) were 6.8 (4.7-7.7), 0.2 (0.0-0.5) and 0.3 (0.0-1.0) for group I; 6.6 (5.7-8.0), 0.5 (0.2-2.0) and 0.2 (0.0-3.3) for group II; and 6.5 (5.1-7.4), 2.4 (0.1-6.7) and 4.0 (2.0-5.0) for group III, respectively. SPADI scores at baseline (P = 0.029), 2 months (P < 0.001) and 3 months follow-ups (P = 0.001) were 60.8 (37.7-70.8), 3.8 (0.0-10.8) and 2.3 (0.8-10.8) for group I; 61.5 (41.5-71.5), 9.2 (3.8-29.2) and 14.2 (1.5-38.0) for the group II; and 73.3 (59.2-80.8), 34.2 (16.9-54.6) and 33.1 (22.3-49.2) for the group III, respectively.
Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy combined with exercises reduce pain intensity, improve shoulder function and reduces pain intensity and medication intake over 3 months.
Clinical trial registration number: NCT02725749.
Keywords: Shoulder pain; exercises; low-level laser therapy.