title: The impact of laser irradiation on global stability in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency: a clinical report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of our experiment was to determine whether laser stimulation can improve microcirculation in the posterior regions of the brain in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 25 patients (20 female, 5 male, mean age 64) diagnosed with chronic VBI. All were evaluated using the De Klyn test, followed by qualitative assessment of stability using a Berg Balance Scale and evaluation of global stability using an electronic balance platform. A CTL-1100 low power laser was used with standard parameters. We established a protocol for laser irradiation at 5 points along the vertebral artery in the cervical region bilaterally. Irradiation was performed 10 times over two weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvement occurred after therapy in headache (p=0.0005), vertigo (p<0.0000), and tinnitus (p=0.0387). No significant differences were observed in nausea or nystagmus caused by head rotation. The Berg Balance Scale results showed significant differences in almost all features. There was a tendency towards improved stability in all parameters, and statistically significant differences in the total surface of support and the spread surface of support for the left foot.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser stimulation as applied in this study can be useful in the treatment of patients with VBI. The main reason for improvement in global stability, balance, and other VBI symptoms is better blood perfusion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laser Therapy and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum-Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland. gosialukowicz@wp.pl
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lukowicz
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zalewski
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bulatowicz
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buszko
authors.forename: Jacek J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Klawe
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000628:therapy; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014717:Vertigo / Q000628:therapy