title: Effects of helium-neon laser irradiation on skin resistance and pain in patients with trigger points in the neck or back.
abstract: The purpose of this double-blind study was to ascertain the effects of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser irradiation on skin resistance and pain in patients with trigger points in the neck or low back. This study entailed a partial replication of a previous study by Snyder-Mackler and associates that determined the use of the He-Ne laser increased skin resistance overlying a trigger point. Twenty-four patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment or a control group and received three 20-second applications of laser irradiation or placebo "stimulation," respectively. Pretreatment and posttreatment skin resistance and pain measurements (via visual analog scale) were taken during each session. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in skin resistance (p less than .001) and a decrease in pain (p less than .005) following laser treatment. There was not a significant correlation between skin resistance and pain across subjects. These data substantiate the previous findings of Snyder-Mackler and associates and demonstrate a reduction in pain. Helium-neon laser treatment, therefore, may be an effective adjunct to conventional physical therapy of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Sargent College of Allied Health Professions, Boston University, MA 02215.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Snyder-Mackler
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Soucek
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D006371:Helium; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D009209:Myofascial Pain Syndromes / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009356:Neon; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011897:Random Allocation; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D006371:Helium; D009356:Neon