Low Level Laser Light Therapy and Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Musculoskeletal Pain
Shoulder Pain
Neck Pain
Musculoskeletal Strain
Musculoskeletal Sprain

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the application of low level laser light therapy to the neck and shoulder region is effective in reducing chronic neck and shoulder pain of musculoskeletal origin.

Detailed Description: Chronic neck and shoulder pain arising from osteoarthritis, chronic muscle spasms or thoracic or cervical spine sprain strain can be seriously debilitating. Currently available treatment options such as pain relief medication, ice pack, massage, physical therapy and chiropractic are typically of limited effectiveness. More permanent options such as surgery are invasive with long recovery periods and side-effects and complications of their own. Low level laser light therapy, with its proven anti-inflammatory ability, offers a simple non-invasive option for the reduction of chronic neck and shoulder pain.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Location of pain is on the right and/or left side of the neck and/or shoulder and/or the back of the neck.
Etiology of pain is osteoarthritis/Degenerative Joint Disorder (DJD); chronic muscle spasms or cervical and thoracic spine sprain strain, determined according to subject medical history, medication use history, previous records review, physical examination of the cervical spine and shoulder.
Stage of injury is chronic, having prevailed for longer than 30 days.
Degree of Pain self-rating of 50 or greater on the 0-100 Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
18-65 years.

Exclusion Criteria

Stage of injury is acute, having prevailed for less than 30 days.
Known herniated disc injury.
Any other disease or condition that may cause or contribute to the chronic pain condition.
Presence of infection or open wound at the treatment areas.
Use of steroids or narcotics.
Use of over-the-counter (OTC) medication for the relief of pain within the 24-hour period prior to participating in the treatment phase of the study, or prescription medication for the relief of pain within the 48-hour period prior to participating in the treatment phase of the study.
pregnant or lactating.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Erchonia PL2000	Erchonia PL2000	The Erchonia PL2000 Laser emits 1 milliWatt (mW) of red (635nm wavelength) light via an electric diode energy source. It is a hand-held device that uses rechargeable batteries or a separate power adapter.
Placebo laser	Placebo laser	inactive laser light

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Number of Participants Whose Self-reported Pain Rating in the Neck and Shoulder Area on the 0-100 Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Decreased by 30% or More From Baseline to One Day After Study Treatment	baseline and one day	Participants self-rated the degree of pain experienced in the neck-shoulder region on the 0-100 standardized Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and one day post-treatment. The VAS is a 100mm long horizontal scale ranging from '0: no pain at all' on one end to '100: worst pain imaginable' on the other end. The participant marked the point along the scale that best showed the pain level they experienced in the neck-shoulder area at each point in time. The higher the number marked, the greater the pain level.
Change in Self-reported Pain Rating in the Neck and Shoulder Area on the 0-100 Visual Analog Scale (VAS)From Baseline to One Day Post-treatment	baseline and one day	Participants self-rated the degree of pain experienced in the neck-shoulder region on the 0-100 standardized Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline and one day post-treatment. The VAS is a 100mm long horizontal scale ranging from '0: no pain at all' on one end to '100: worst pain imaginable' on the other end. The participant marked the point along the scale that best showed the pain level they experienced in the neck-shoulder area at that point in time. The higher the number marked, the greater the pain level.

Secondary Outcome Measures