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Acute effects of photobiomodulation therapy and magnetic field on functional mobility in stroke survivors: a randomized, sham-controlled, triple-blind, crossover, clinical trial

Lasers in Medical Science volume 35, pages 1253–1262 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Identify the optimal energy delivered with a single application of the combination of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) combining different light sources (low-level laser therapy—LLLT and light emitting diode therapy—LEDT) and static magnetic field (sMF) in order to determine the acute effects on functional mobility of stroke survivors. Was conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, triple-blind, clinical trial (RCT). Twelve patients were recruited, however ten concluded the study, they were randomly treated with four PBMT/sMF energies (sham—0 J, 10 J, 30 J, and 50 J per site irradiated), with 1-week interval washout between treatments. PBMT/sMF were administered after the pre-intervention (baseline) evaluation and the total energy delivered per site at each treatment was determined based on the results of the randomization procedure. PBMT/sMF were administered in direct contact with the skin and applied with slight pressure to nine sites on the knee extensors, six sites on the knee flexors, and two sites on the plantar flexors’ muscles in both lower limbs (bilaterally). The primary outcome measure was the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and the secondary outcome was the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Significant improvements were found in the 6MWT test using a total energy of 30 J per site compared with sham (0 J) (p < 0.05) and compared with the baseline evaluation (p < 0.01). And in the TUG test significant improvements were also found using a total energy per site of 30 J per site compared to sham (0 J) and baseline (p < 0.05). PBMT with different light sources (laser and LEDs) and wavelengths in combination with sMF with a total energy per site of 30 J has positive acute effects on functional mobility in stroke survivors.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. Heliodora Leão Casalechi and Arislander Jonathan Lopes Dumont contributed equally to this study.

Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Heliodora Leão Casalechi, Arislander Jonathan Lopes Dumont, Paulo Roberto Vicente de Paiva, Caroline dos Santos Monteiro Machado & Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-Junior

  2. Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Arislander Jonathan Lopes Dumont, Paulo Roberto Vicente de Paiva, Caroline dos Santos Monteiro Machado, Paulo de Tarso Camillo de Carvalho & Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-Junior

  3. Department of Physiotherapy of the Guairacá College and the Centro-Oeste State University (UNICENTRO), Guarapuava, Parana, Brazil

    Luiz Alfredo Braun Ferreira

  4. Health Sciences Program, Santa Casa School of Medical Sciences of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

    Claudia Santos Oliveira

  5. Postgraduate Program, University Center of Anapolis, Anapolis, Goias, Brazil

    Claudia Santos Oliveira

Authors
  1. Heliodora Leão Casalechi
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  2. Arislander Jonathan Lopes Dumont
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  3. Luiz Alfredo Braun Ferreira
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  5. Caroline dos Santos Monteiro Machado
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  6. Paulo de Tarso Camillo de Carvalho
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  7. Claudia Santos Oliveira
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  8. Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-Junior
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Correspondence to Arislander Jonathan Lopes Dumont.

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Compliance with ethical standards

A randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind, and crossover clinical trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the guidelines for research involving human subjects. This study received approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee and was registered at the clinicaltrials.gov. All volunteers received clarifications regarding the objectives and procedures and signed a statement of informed consent of agreement.

Conflict of interest

Professor Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-Junior receives research support from Multi Radiance Medical (Solon - OH, USA), a laser device manufacturer. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Casalechi, H.L., Dumont, A.J.L., Ferreira, L.A.B. et al. Acute effects of photobiomodulation therapy and magnetic field on functional mobility in stroke survivors: a randomized, sham-controlled, triple-blind, crossover, clinical trial. Lasers Med Sci 35, 1253–1262 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02898-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-019-02898-y

Keywords

  • Photobiomodulation (PBM)
  • Low-level laser therapy
  • Static magnetic field
  • Stroke
  • Physical therapy