title: Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review update evaluated low level laser therapy (LLLT) for adults with neck pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computerized searches (root up to Feb 2012) included pain, function/disability, quality of life (QoL) and global perceived effect (GPE). GRADE, effect-sizes, heterogeneity and meta-regression were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 17 trials, 10 demonstrated high risk of bias. For chronic neck pain, there was moderate quality evidence (2 trials, 109 participants) supporting LLLT over placebo to improve pain/disability/QoL/GPE up to intermediate-term (IT). For acute radiculopathy, cervical osteoarthritis or acute neck pain, low quality evidence suggested LLLT improves ST pain/function/QoL over a placebo. For chronic myofascial neck pain (5 trials, 188 participants), evidence was conflicting; a meta-regression of heterogeneous trials suggests super-pulsed LLLT increases the chance of a successful pain outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found diverse evidence using LLLT for neck pain. LLLT may be beneficial for chronic neck pain/function/QoL. Larger long-term dosage trials are needed.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: Anita R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dziengo
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boers
authors.forename: Charlie H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Goldsmith
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lilge
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burnie
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: White
keywords: Low level laser therapy; neck pain; systematic review.