title: Low-intensity laser (660 NM) has analgesic effects on sternotomy of patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy for reducing the acute pain of sternotomy in patients who underwent a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted with ninety volunteers who electively submitted to CABG. The volunteers were randomly allocated into three groups of equal size (n = 30): control, placebo, and laser (λ of 660 nm and spatial average energy fluency of 1.06 J/cm 2 ). Pain when coughing was assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire, according to sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous domains. The patients were followed for 1 month after the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laser group had a greater decrease in pain with analogous results, as indicated by both the VAS and the McGill questionnaire (P ≤ 0.05) on sensory and affective scores, on days 6 and 8 postsurgery compared to the placebo and control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser seems to be effective promoting pain reduction after coronary-arterial bypass grafting.
authors.affiliation: Lasertherapy and Photobiology Center, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo; Uninovafapi Universitary Center (UNINOVAFAPI), Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilderlene Alves
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Santa Maria Hospital, Bairro Centro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raimundo de Barros
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Araújo Júnior
authors.affiliation: Lasertherapy and Photobiology Center, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo; Department of Physical Therapy, University of Piauí State, PI, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andréa Conceição Gomes
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Lasertherapy and Photobiology Center, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo; Uninovafapi Universitary Center (UNINOVAFAPI), Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabel Clarisse Albuquerque
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Gonzaga
authors.affiliation: Uninovafapi Universitary Center (UNINOVAFAPI); Department of Physical Therapy, University of Piauí State, PI, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rauirys Alencar
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Lasertherapy and Photobiology Center, Research and Development Institute, IP&D, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Amadei
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Nicolau
mesh_terms: D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome