High-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Marwa Shafiek Saleh; Dina Othman Shokri Galal; Mostafa S Ali; Doaa I Ibrahim

doi:10.1007/s10103-024-04262-1

High-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in treatment of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Jan 6;40(1):8. doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04262-1.

Authors

Marwa Shafiek Saleh^{1

2}, Dina Othman Shokri Galal³, Mostafa S Ali⁴, Doaa I Ibrahim⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Basic Science for Physical Therapy, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. [email protected].
² Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. [email protected].
³ Department of Physical Therapy for Orthopedic and Orthopedic Surgery, Badr University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁵ Basic Science Department, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

PMID: 39757334
DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-04262-1

Abstract

To compare the effects of High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) versus Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on shoulder pain and disability, shoulder Range of Motion (ROM), Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT), and sleep quality of patients having Subacromial Impingement Syndrome (SAIS). Forty-two patients with SAIS were randomly assigned into three groups, the HILT group (n = 14), the LLLT group (n = 14), and control group (n = 14). All groups received an exercise program consisted of shoulder muscles stretching and strengthening exercises. Along with the exercise program, the HILT group received HILT at 810 nm /980 nm, and LLLT group received LLLT at 904 nm, three times weekly for three weeks. The primary outcome was the change in shoulder pain and disability measured by Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI). Secondary outcomes included shoulder ROM using a standard goniometer, PPT measured by pressure algometer, and sleep quality by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Measurements were taken both before and after a 3-week intervention to assess the outcomes. After 3-wk intervention, both the HILT and LLLT groups exhibited significant improvements in all parameters when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were clinically significant differences between groups supported by a large ES favoring the HILT group for SPADI pain (ηp² = 0.71), SPADI disability (ηp² = 0.54), SPADI total (ηp² = 0.82), PPT (ηp² = 0.63), and PSQI (ηp² = 0.42). The combination of HILT with exercises proved to be more beneficial in enhancing pain and function, PPT, and sleep quality compared to LLLT combined with exercises in treating patients with SAIS.

Keywords: Disability; Laser therapy; Range of motion; Shoulder pain; Subacromial impingement syndrome; Therapeutic exercise..

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Double-Blind Method
Exercise Therapy / methods
Female
Humans
Laser Therapy / methods
Low-Level Light Therapy* / methods
Male
Middle Aged
Range of Motion, Articular*
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome* / radiotherapy
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome* / rehabilitation
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome* / therapy
Shoulder Pain / radiotherapy
Shoulder Pain / rehabilitation
Shoulder Pain / therapy
Treatment Outcome