Low-Level Laser Therapy for Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Painful entrapment of subacromial structures versus the choraco-acromial arch is defined as subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Many studies have been done on the use of low-level laser in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. However, as the results of the studies are controversial, this study reviewed the results of studies on the effect of low-level laser on the pain and function of patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Medline databases were searched to retrieve clinical trials in English language that were published during the years 2000-2019. The keywords were as shoulder, subacromial impingement syndrome, and low-level laser. Results: Using the keywords, initially 200 articles were obtained, out of which, 7 clinical trials in English language that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Conclusion: Studies showed that low-level laser was an effective modality for reducing pain and improving the function in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Keywords

• subacromial impingement syndrome
• low-level laser therapy
• pain
• function
• shoulder