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Immediate effects of low-intensity laser (808 nm) on fatigue and strength of spastic muscle

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Abstract

The cerebrovascular accident (CVA), high-impact disease II, affects the basic functions of the limbs, leading to changes of sensory, language, and motor functions. The search for resources that minimize the damage caused by this disease grows every day. The clinical use of low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) has provided major breakthroughs in the treatment of muscular disorders and prevention of muscle fatigue. Thus, the objective of the present study is to analyze the answers and immediate adaptations of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis of spastic hemiparetic patients, facing the increase in peak torque and triggering muscle fatigue, after application of LILT. Double-blind clinical trials were conducted with 15 volunteers post-CVA with spasticity, of both genders, between 40 and 80 years old. To this end, the volunteers went through three consecutive stages of rating (control, placebo, and laser). All performed tests of isometric contraction on the patient’s hemiparetic side. Significant differences were observed with regard to the increase in muscle performance (p = 0.0043) and the reduction in blood lactate concentration (p < 0.0001) of the post-LILT muscles. The LILT (diode laser, l100 mW 808 nm, 4.77 J/cm2/point, 40 s/AP) can be employed during and after spastic muscle-strengthening exercises, contributing to the improvement of motor function of the patient. After application of LILT, we found increased torque as well as decreased in lactate level in patients with spasticity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the financial support (PE 030/2008).

Ethical standards

This research was carried out in accordance with the current Brazilian laws relating to experiments in humans.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Engenharia de Reabilitação Sensório Motora, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, Av. Shishima Hifumi, 2911, Urbanova, SP, 12244-000, Brazil

    Mariana César Ribeiro dos Reis, Eliana Aparecida Fonseca de Andrade, Ana Carolina Lacerda Borges, Djenifer Queiroz de Souza, Fernanda Pupio Silva Lima & Mário Oliveira Lima

  2. Centro de Laserterapia e Fotobiologia, Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São José dos Campos, Urbanova, SP, Brazil

    Renata Amadei Nicolau

  3. Laboratório de Engenharia Biomédica, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

    Adriano Oliveira Andrade

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  1. Mariana César Ribeiro dos Reis
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  2. Eliana Aparecida Fonseca de Andrade
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Correspondence to Mariana César Ribeiro dos Reis.

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dos Reis, M.C.R., de Andrade, E.A.F., Borges, A.C.L. et al. Immediate effects of low-intensity laser (808 nm) on fatigue and strength of spastic muscle. Lasers Med Sci 30, 1089–1096 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-014-1702-5

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