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Low-level laser versus traditional physiotherapy in the treatment of tennis elbow
Vasseljen O
Physiotherapy 1992 May;78(5):329-334
clinical trial
5/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: Yes; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

The effect of low-level laser (GaAs) versus a combination of pulsed ultrasound and deep friction massage was investigated in a randomised trial. The laser therapy was given at a dose of 3.5 J/cm squared and the ultrasound at a space and time average intensity of 0.32 W/cm squared, and the deep friction massage was applied for ten minutes continually. Thirty patients with lateral epicondylalgia were assigned equally to the two treatment groups. All patients received eight treatments and were evaluated subjectively and objectively before and at the end of treatment, and four weeks after treatment. From selection to the last assessment, a significant decrease in pain (p1 < 0.01) was found in both groups, and grip strength increased significantly both in the physiotherapy (p1 = 0.01) and the laser group (p1 = 0.02). Comparing the two groups, a significant decrease in pain (p2 < 0.01) was found in the traditional therapy compared to the laser group. Both treatment regimes involved in this trial relieved the symptoms of tennis elbow significantly in about half the cases, but low-level laser therapy was no more effective than traditional physiotherapy.

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