title: Effect of helium-neon laser irradiation on peripheral sensory nerve latency.
abstract: The purpose of this randomized, double-blind study was to determine the effect of a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser on latency of peripheral sensory nerve. Forty healthy subjects with no history of right upper extremity pathological conditions were assigned to either a Laser or a Placebo Group. Six 1-cm2 blocks along a 12-cm segment of the subjects' right superficial radial nerve received 20-second applications of either the He-Ne laser or a placebo. We assessed differences between pretest and posttest latencies with t tests for correlated and independent samples. The Laser Group showed a statistically significant increase in latency that corresponded to a decrease in sensory nerve conduction velocity. Short-duration He-Ne laser application significantly increased the distal latency of the superficial radial nerve. This finding provides information about the mechanism of the reported pain-relieving effect of the He-Ne laser.
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: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bork
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D009356:Neon; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011897:Random Allocation
chemical_list: D006371:Helium; D009356:Neon