Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on Nerve Conduction Velocity in Diabetic Neuropathic Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Treatment of neuropathic pain is characterized by poor response and frequent side effects to drugs that are commonly used. Theaim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding low-level laser therapy [LLLT] to traditional medication versus traditional medication only on pain level and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) indiabetic peripheral neuropathic patients (DPN).

Materials and Methods: Thirty patients suffering from DPN were included and randomly divided into two equal groups: group A (received LLLT in addition to the traditional medication) and group B (control group that treated by traditional medication only). Peripheral pain by Visual analog scale (VAS) and NCV of peroneal nerve by Electromyography were assisted pre-treatment and eight weeks post treatment.

Result:A significant reduction of VAS and significant increase of NCV of peroneal nerve were reported at post treatment measurements in compared to pre-treatment for group A only.As well as,A significant reduction of mean values of VAS and significant increase of mean values of NCV were reported at group A post treatment measurements when was compared with group B.

Conclusion: This stud indicates that LLLT is a valuable therapeutic modality that can be usedto decrease the pain and improve the NCV inpatients with painful DPN.