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Effect of photobiomodulation on neuropathic pain of diabetic origin: a narrative review of the literature

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Abstract

To update the literature on the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in relieving pain in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compared to the effects of post-intervention, control/placebo groups, and other therapies. Search on the following databases: PORTAL PERIODICOS CAPES, PUBMED, GOOGLE ACADEMIC/SCHOLAR, SCOPUS, SCIELO, CENTRAL, and MEDLINE. Manual search: 1) manually capture the references of relevant articles originally selected to be included in the eligible studies. Two independent researchers performed the screening and selection of studies, methods assessment, and data extraction with unblinded authors and impressions. Subsequently, the full text of the originally selected studies was screened. The screening form registered the criteria for excluding literature from the full-text screening. The screening resulted in a total of 1692 citations. Out of these, 1402 citations were examined for titles and abstracts, followed by the removal of duplicated studies; therefore, 68 articles remained for full-text evaluation. 54 articles were excluded after full-text screening. Fourteen articles met the selection criteria, hence being selected and included in this narrative review. PBM showed to be a promising modality in relieving painful symptoms in DPN, especially when implemented in combination with other therapies, by improving the quality of life of diabetic patients.

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All data supporting the results reported in this work can be accessed through the DOI or PMID provided in the references section.

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Funding

VRSO (2018/18483–1) and CSD (2018/14560–1) were supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP).

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Author notes

  1. Alisson Pereira da Silva and Victória Regina da Silva Oliveira Oliveira equally contributed to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuromodulation of Pain, Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 2415, lab. 104B, ICB III, São Paulo, 05508-000, Brazil

    Alisson Pereira da Silva, Victória Regina da Silva Oliveira & Camila Squarzoni Dale

  2. Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr. Arnaldo, 455, São Paulo, 01246-903, Brazil

    Camila Squarzoni Dale

Authors
  1. Alisson Pereira da Silva
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  2. Victória Regina da Silva Oliveira
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  3. Camila Squarzoni Dale
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Contributions

APS and VRSO performed the screening and selection of studies, both independently extracting usable information. APS and VRSO produced tables and graphs. APS, VRSO and CSD prepared this manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final version of the article.

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Correspondence to Camila Squarzoni Dale.

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da Silva, A.P., da Silva Oliveira, V.R. & Dale, C.S. Effect of photobiomodulation on neuropathic pain of diabetic origin: a narrative review of the literature. Lasers Med Sci 38, 244 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03905-z

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