Low-level Laser Therapy in Wrist Fractures

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Colles' Fracture
• Interventions: Other: Low level laser therapy; Other: Placebo Low Level Laser Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT02749929
• Lead Sponsor: University of Bergen

Brief Summary

Approximately 15,000 persons in Norway suffer from wrist fractures during a year, making it the most prevalent fracture in this country. Treated conservatively, a cast is used for 4-6 weeks before removal. After discontinuation of the cast, physiotherapy is implemented to aid in improving range of motion and regaining function of the injured wrist. The pain after injury can affect the patient to a greater or lesser extent, and it is common to prescribe sick leave for shorter amounts of time after the injury.

Studies suggest that a physiotherapy intervention with Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT) may reduce pain and swelling after acute trauma, and potentially promote healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LLLT on pain and function at 2, 4, 8 and 26 weeks after injury.

Detailed Description

Patients with wrist fractures are recruited from Bergen Municipal Emergency Ward, where they are randomly divided into two groups with concealed allocation. The fracture is immobilized with a cast, with a small opening where Low Level Laser therapy can be administered in skin contact. The patients will receive treatment 3 times a week, for 3 weeks. After discontinuation of the cast, the patients swelling, pain, grip strength and function of the wrist is measured. The patients will meet for follow-up controls until 26 weeks after injury.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-04
• Study First Submitted: 2016-04-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-04-21
• Study First Posted: 2016-04-25
• Primary Completion: 2020-11-30
• Status Verified: 2021-04
• Study Completion: 2021-04-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-04-27
• Last Update Posted: 2021-04-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 53

Inclusion Criteria

• Patients with distal radiusfraktur, with or without ulna fracture Colles' fracture
• The breach must be closed
• Under 10 degrees dorsal displacement of radius
• Under 5mm shortening of the radius
• Under 3 mm step in the joint
• 18+ years

Exclusion Criteria

• People who do not speak Norwegian or English
• If the patient is pregnant
• Patient with Smith fracture
• Wounds over fracture area
• If the patient have a peripheral nerve injury
• If the patient had (previously) operated wrist
• Persons with verified osteoporosis at the time of injury, systemic inflammatory disease (rheumatism), mental illness, stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, cancer or congenital malformations in wrist
• If the laser treatment can not be started within 3 days after fracture

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Low-Level Laser therapy	Low level laser therapy	After inclusion in the study, a small window of approximately 1 cm2 opening will be made in the cast in order for the laser to make skin contact. The laser is a super pulsed infrared laser with a wavelength of 904 nm, belonging to laser class 3B. The light from the laser is not visible to the eye, and will not give any perceptible stimulus. Low-Level Laser therapy (LLLT) will be given according to the recommended dosage from World Association of Laser Therapy (WALT). A LLLT dose of 3.6 Joules will be administered at two points over the fracture site.
Placebo Low-Level Laser therapy	Placebo Low Level Laser Therapy	After inclusion in the study, a small window of approximately 1 cm2 opening will be made in the cast in order for the placebo laser to make skin contact. The placebo laser is identical in apperance to a super pulsed infrared laser with a wavelength of 904 nm, belonging to laser class 3B. Since the light from the laser is invisible, neither the participant nor the therapist will know whether the laser is a placebo. The treatment time and number of treated points will be identical to group 1.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Function and pain	26 weeks	Function and will be assessed using Patient Rating Wrist and Hand Evaluation a (PRWHE), and questions about night pain/pain killers

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain by pressure	26 weeks	Pain Pressure Threshold over distal radius will be assessed using Pressure Algometry
Swelling	26 weeks	Swelling will be assessed using measurement tape
Active range of motion	26 weeks	Active range of motion will be assessed using goniometer
Grip- and pinch Strength	26 weeks	Strength will be assessed using handheld dynamometer

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Bergen Accident Emergency Hospital; 🇳🇴 Bergen, Norway