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. 2024 Oct 14;14(10):1302.
doi: 10.3390/life14101302.

The Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser in Improving Motor Deficits in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Diana-Lidia Tache-Codreanu  1 , Magdalena Rodica Trăistaru  2
Affiliations

The Effectiveness of High Intensity Laser in Improving Motor Deficits in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Diana-Lidia Tache-Codreanu et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: High-Intensity Laser (HIL) therapy, known for its biostimulatory effects on nerve cell growth and repair, shows promise for improving motor deficits caused by morphopathological changes. This research study aimed to comprehensively assess muscle strength changes through muscle testing, complemented by functional tests evaluating factors contributing to disability in patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) and associated motor impairment, following a complex rehabilitation protocol incorporating HIL therapy.

Methods: A total of 133 individuals with LDH and motor deficits were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 66) received HIL therapy followed by standard rehabilitation, while Group 2 (n = 67) underwent only the standard rehabilitation program. Functional parameters, including muscle strength, the ability to walk on tiptoes or heels, and self-assessed fall risk, were monitored.

Results: Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in all monitored parameters. A comparative analysis revealed a significant result for the HIL therapy regimen across all indicators.

Conclusions: The group undergoing a rehabilitation program with integrated HIL therapy displayed significantly greater improvement in motor deficits, affirming the positive impact of HIL therapy on functional parameters among LDH patients.

Keywords: assessment; disability; disk herniation; high intensity laser therapy; motor deficit; neuronal recovery; rehabilitation program.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Box plot graph representing evolution of muscle strength scores for Group 1 and Group 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The evolution of the ability to walk on tiptoes or heels score.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The evolution of risk of falls score.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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