INTRODUCTION: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), particularly when combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF), is a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing musculoskeletal disorders. However, high-quality evidence for its efficacy in lateral epicondylitis remains limited. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of PBMT-sMFversus placebo in reducing pain, improving function and modulating inflammatory markers in individuals with lateral epicondylitis. DESIGN: Multicentre, randomised, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Three outpatient physiotherapy clinics in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: 50 adults (18 to 50 years) with unilateral lateral epicondylitis and baseline pain >= 50 on the visual analogue scale (VAS). INTERVENTIONS: Participants received either active PBMT-sMF (n = 25) or placebo (n = 25), 2 times per week for 3 weeks. PBMT-sMF involved multi-wavelength irradiation at 4 epicondyle sites (60 s; 27.1 J/site). The placebo group underwent the same procedure without active irradiation. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was degree of pain rating (VAS). Secondary outcomes included forearm disability (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, PRTEE), grip strength, serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and treatment satisfaction. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment (3 weeks) and at 4-week follow-up. RESULTS: PBMT-sMF yielded a higher responder rate (defined as the proportion of participants achieving at least a 30% reduction in pain intensity relative to baseline) than placebo (72% versus 40%, p = 0.045), with a clinically and statistically significant between-group difference. Compared with placebo, the PBMT-sMF group showed significantly greater reductions in pain intensity both at the end of treatment (51.4 +/- 19.8 versus 36.9 +/- 22.6; p = 0.0223) and at follow-up (37.4 +/- 24.1 versus 20.3 +/- 21.2; p = 0.0049). TNF-alpha levels also decreased significantly in the PBMT-sMF group compared with placebo at both time points (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0019, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed for PRTEE scores, grip strength or treatment satisfaction. No major adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: PBMT-sMF significantly reduced pain intensity and TNF-alpha levels, suggesting an anti-inflammatory mechanism. Although functional outcomes were not improved, PBMT-sMF may be a valuable short-term, non-invasive option for lateral epicondylitis pain management. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04829734 on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Reproduced with permission from the BMJ Publishing Group.

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