Poster Session #1: South UC Ballroom
Comparing the Effects of Low-level Therapeutic Laser and Sham Treatments on Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion in Recreational Runners
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Valerie
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Moody
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Context: Low-level laser therapy was recently introduced as an instrument of treatment in rehabilitation medicine. Speculation remains as to what is happening at the molecular level when laser therapy is used. Laser therapy has been shown to assist tissue healing by increasing movement in tissue molecules and accelerating repair. It has also demonstrated effectiveness in pain reduction. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe if low-level laser therapy had an effect on ankle dorsiflexion and self-reported pain in subjects with Achilles tendon pain compared to healthy individuals. Participants: A convenience sample included 8 recreational runners (running 15-40 miles per week), which included both healthy individuals and individuals with Achilles tendon pain. Methods: Subjects were divided into one of four groups: healthy subjects treated with laser (3), tendon pain treated with laser (1), healthy subjects receiving a sham treatment (control group) (3), and tendon pain group receiving a sham treatment (1). Each subject completed ten trials, receiving two treatments per day for five consecutive days. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured before and after each trial using a standard tape measure. Participants were asked to rate their Achilles pain on a 0-10 pain scale, 0 being no pain and 10 being excruciating pain. The Achilles tendon of each subject’s dominant foot or foot with Achilles tendon pain was treated using a Vectra Genisys Laser, parameters set to 35 Joules, 9 diode 5x100 mW, continuous, 64 seconds. Results: Mean scores revealed no significant changes or trends across all groups pre to post treatment for both ankle dorsiflexion and pain perception.Conclusion: It is unclear if low-level laser therapy influences ankle dorsiflexion or pain perception in patients who have Achilles tendon pain. A larger sample size is warranted to further investigate the effects of low-level laser on healing and pain.
Category
Physical Sciences
Comparing the Effects of Low-level Therapeutic Laser and Sham Treatments on Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion in Recreational Runners
South UC Ballroom
Context: Low-level laser therapy was recently introduced as an instrument of treatment in rehabilitation medicine. Speculation remains as to what is happening at the molecular level when laser therapy is used. Laser therapy has been shown to assist tissue healing by increasing movement in tissue molecules and accelerating repair. It has also demonstrated effectiveness in pain reduction. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to observe if low-level laser therapy had an effect on ankle dorsiflexion and self-reported pain in subjects with Achilles tendon pain compared to healthy individuals. Participants: A convenience sample included 8 recreational runners (running 15-40 miles per week), which included both healthy individuals and individuals with Achilles tendon pain. Methods: Subjects were divided into one of four groups: healthy subjects treated with laser (3), tendon pain treated with laser (1), healthy subjects receiving a sham treatment (control group) (3), and tendon pain group receiving a sham treatment (1). Each subject completed ten trials, receiving two treatments per day for five consecutive days. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured before and after each trial using a standard tape measure. Participants were asked to rate their Achilles pain on a 0-10 pain scale, 0 being no pain and 10 being excruciating pain. The Achilles tendon of each subject’s dominant foot or foot with Achilles tendon pain was treated using a Vectra Genisys Laser, parameters set to 35 Joules, 9 diode 5x100 mW, continuous, 64 seconds. Results: Mean scores revealed no significant changes or trends across all groups pre to post treatment for both ankle dorsiflexion and pain perception.Conclusion: It is unclear if low-level laser therapy influences ankle dorsiflexion or pain perception in patients who have Achilles tendon pain. A larger sample size is warranted to further investigate the effects of low-level laser on healing and pain.