Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as
an adjunct to a program of eccentric exercises for the treatment of Achilles'
tendinopathy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with evaluations at baseline
and 4, 12, and 52 weeks. SETTING: Primary care clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Participants
with midportion Achilles' tendinopathy were randomly assigned to 2 groups (LLLT
n=20: mean age +/- SD, 45.6+/-9.1y; placebo n=20: mean age +/- SD, 46.5+/-6.4y).
The 12-week evaluation was completed by 36 participants (90%), and 33
participants (82.5%) completed the 52-week evaluation. INTERVENTION: Both groups
of participants performed eccentric exercises over a 3-month period. In addition,
they received either an active or placebo application of LLLT 3 times per week
for the first 4 weeks; the dose was 3J per point. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The
primary outcome was the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles'
questionnaire (VISA-A) score at 12 weeks; secondary outcome was a visual analog
scale for pain. Outcomes were measured at baseline
and 4, 12, and 52 weeks.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics exhibited no differences between groups. At the
primary outcome point, there was no statistically significant difference in
VISA-A scores between groups (P>.05). The difference in VISA-A scores at the
4-week point significantly favored the placebo group (F(1)=6.411, sum of squares
783.839; P=.016); all other outcome scores showed no significant difference
between the groups at any time point. Observers were blinded to groupings.
CONCLUSIONS: The clinical effectiveness of adding LLLT to eccentric exercises for
the treatment of Achilles' tendinopathy has not been demonstrated using the
parameters in this study.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS