Infrared Laser and Classical Ballerinas' Feet

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Pain
• Interventions: Device: Infrared Laser

• Registration Number: NCT04489784
• Lead Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo

Brief Summary

Overuse injuries and painful symptoms in athletes and dancers (especially classical ballerinas) may lead to reduced functional performance. However, laser application may reduce pain and increase physical conditioning. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of infrared laser on classical ballerinas' feet. The hypothesis investigators was that the infrared laser would be able to reduce pain perception and enhance functional performance in ballerinas.

Detailed Description

High risk of injuries and painful symptoms in athletes and dancers (especially classical ballerinas) may lead to reduced functional performance. The use of photobiomodulation may improve functional performance in ballerinas that are affected by foot pain. An aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) diode laser device was uded. Infrared laser (808 nm) was applied on ballerina's feet twice a week during three months. Thermography, algometry and unipodal static standing balance test were performed. There were pain relief and improvement of functional performance in ballerinas.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2018-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2018-03-01
• Study Completion: 2018-07-01
• Status Verified: 2020-07
• Study First Submitted: 2020-07-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-07-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2020-07-25
• Study First Posted: 2020-07-28
• Last Update Posted: 2020-07-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 8

Inclusion Criteria

• Female adults who perform classical ballet training and feel pain in their foot

Exclusion Criteria

• The occurrence of injuries in the last 6 months

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treatment	Infrared Laser	Laser treatment on ballerina's feet.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Analysis of pain for feet by algometry	3 months	Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed with an electronic algometer. The pressure was applied and the ballerinas were instructed to ask to say "stop" when the sensation changed from pressure to pain. Three PPT measurements were performed to obtain an average.
Analysis of pain for feet by the visual analogue pain intensity scale	3 months	A continuous scale comprised of a horizontal line with 10 centimeters in length was used. All ballerinas were instructed to make a mark with a pen at any point on the line between 2 verbal descriptors, one for each symptom extreme \["No pain" (score=0) and "as bad as it could be" or "worst imaginable pain" (score=10)\].

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Thermal Analysis	3 months	Cutaneous temperatures of ballerina's feet were analyzed by thermography.
Balance Test	3 months	Static Standing Balance Test was performed. Ballerinas were instructed to stand on one foot to a maximum of one minute. The time was measured in seconds.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fernanda Rossi Paolillo; 🇧🇷 São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil