A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

This study compared the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) versus laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 45 TMD patients were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (LLLT), a GaAlAs laser was applied on painful masticatory muscles and TMJs (810 nm, 200 mW, 30 s per point, Gaussian beam, spot size 0.28 cm2, 21 J/cm2) two times a week for 5 weeks. In group 2 (LAT), the laser was emitted bilaterally on acupuncture points (ST6, ST7, LI4) with the same settings as the LLLT group. Group 3 (placebo) underwent treatment with sham laser. The patients were evaluated before treatment (T1), after 5 (T2) and 10 (T3) laser applications, and 1 month later (T4). The mandibular range of motion as well as pain intensity in masticatory system was recorded at each interval. There was no significant difference in mouth opening between the groups (p > 0.05), but the amount of lateral excursive and protrusive movements was significantly greater in LLLT and LAT groups than the placebo group at some intervals (p < 0.05). The overall pain intensity and pain degree at masticatory muscles (except temporal muscle) and TMJs were significantly lower in both experimental groups than the placebo group at most intervals after therapy (p < 0.05). Both LLLT and LAT were effective in reducing pain and increasing excursive and protrusive mandibular motion in TMD patients. LAT could be suggested as a suitable alternative to LLLT, as it provided effective results while taking less chair time.

Shoulder Dysfunction After Radiotherapy in Surgically and Nonsurgically Treated Necks: A Prospective Study.

Our goal was to evaluate the shoulder dysfunction after radiotherapy in surgically and nonsurgically treated necks.A prospective pair matched design was performed. A total of 96 patients from 3 groups were enrolled in the study. The patients were asked to complete the shoulder domain section of the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire on 2 occasions: preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively.None of the patients had a shoulder impairment before the operation. At the follow-up session, 4 patients who had received radiotherapy only reported mild shoulder dysfunction, the mean score was 96.3, the difference was significant compared with the preoperative score (P = 0.046). For patients who had received neck dissection, 7 patients reported that the impaired shoulder function caused them to change their work and 14 patients reported that their shoulder function was affected a little; the mean score was 71.6. For patients who had received both neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy, 9 patients reported that they had changed their work due to shoulder dysfunction and 16 patients reported mild shoulder impairment; the mean score was 65.3 and the difference was not significant (P = 0.304).Radiotherapy does not increase shoulder dysfunction in surgically treated necks, but it could induce shoulder impairment in nonsurgically treated necks.

The long-term effects of radioactive phosphorous synoviorthesis on hemophilic arthropathy.

BACKGROUND: Radioactive synoviorthesis was carried out by an injection of radioactive materials into the joint that has been known as a successful alternative treatment to invasive surgical synovectomy. This study was designed to evaluate short-term and long-term results and complications of radioactive synovectomy of hemophilic arthropathy using radioactive phosphorus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 patients with hemophilic arthropathy. After obtaining clotting factors, the intra-articular injections of radioactive phosphorus were done. Thirteen patients were evaluated during 36 months (short-term follow-up) and 27 patients were followed up for more than 36 months (long-term follow-up). Patients were evaluated for hemarthrosis, factor consumption per month, joint range of motion (ROM) and clinical and radiological involvement grade. RESULTS: The patients mean age was 22.9 ± 6.6 and there were 38 men and 2 women. Consumption of clotting factors was significantly reduced in the short-term follow-up of patients (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the long-term follow-up (p > 0.05). ROM decreased significantly in the long-term follow-up (p < 0.05). Radiologic evaluation showed significantly increased involvement in their joints (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Using radioactive synoviorthesis led in decreased consumption of clotting factors and the hemarthrosis incidence in short term but it did not have significant impact on clinical situation (ROM) and radiological findings of hemophilic patients in long-term follow-up.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on adolescents with temporomandibular disorder: a blind randomized controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on pain, mandibular movements, and occlusal contacts in adolescents and young adults with temporomandibular disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals aged 14 to 23 years were evaluated. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were used for the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders. Pain was assessed with a visual analog scale. Occlusal contacts were recorded using the T-Scan III program (Tekscan, Boston, MA). The participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups: active or placebo laser treatment. The laser parameters were as follows: wavelength of 780 nm, energy density of 33.5 J/cm(2), power of 50 mW, power density of 1.67 W/cm(2), and 20-second exposure time. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the normality of the data distribution. The paired t test was used for the comparisons of the pretreatment and post-treatment results. The SPSS program for Windows (version 15.0; SPSS, Chicago, IL) was used for all analyses, with the level of significance set at 5% (P < .05). RESULTS: No statistically significant differences between groups were found for the right and left anterior temporal muscles (P = .3801 and P = .5595, respectively), superior masseter muscles (P = .087 and P = .1969, respectively), medial masseter muscles (P = .2241 and P = .076, respectively), or inferior masseter muscles (P = .5589 and P = .3268, respectively) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences were found regarding pain, mandibular range of motion, or the distribution of occlusal contacts after treatment with low-level laser therapy. These preliminary results need to be verified in a larger sample of patients to confirm the lack of response to low-level laser therapy.

Therapeutic effect of irradiation of magnetic infrared laser on osteoarthritis rat model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease caused by articular cartilage loss. Many complementary and alternative medicines for OA have been reported so far, but the effectiveness is controversial. Previously, we have shown anti-inflammatory effects of low level laser therapy with static magnetic field, magnetic infrared laser (MIL), in various animal models. Therefore, the beneficial effects were examined in OA rat model. Rats were divided by six groups; no treatment controls of sham and OA model, three MIL treatment groups of OA model at 6.65, 2.66 and 1.33 J cm(-2), and Diclofenac group of OA model with 2 mg kg(-1) diclofenac sodium. The OA control exhibited typical symptoms of OA, but 4-week MIL treatment improved the functional movement of knee joint with reduced edematous changes. In addition, cartilage GAGs were detected more in all MIL treatment groups than OA control. It suggests that 4-week MIL irradiation has dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects on OA. Histopathological analyses revealed that MIL treatment inhibits the cartilage degradation and enhances chondrocyte proliferation. The fact that MIL has an additional potential for the cartilage formation and no adverse effects can be regarded as great advantages for OA treatment. These suggest that MIL can be useful for OA treatment.

Short-term effects of radiofrequency shrinkage treatment for anterior cruciate ligament relaxation on proprioception.

OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency (RF) shrinkage is used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of RF on ACL relaxation and the probable influencing factors. METHODS: Patients with ACL relaxation were included. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a treatment group, in which patients were treated with RF shrinkage (RF group); a control group, in which patients received conventional surgical treatment. Thermal shrinkage was performed on ACL using an ArthroCare® CAPSure® wand. Lysholm scores, proprioceptive testing and Tegner activity scores were evaluated before and after treatment (at 6 and 12 months). RESULTS: A total of 38 patients were included. The mean ± SD Lysholm score of those in the RF group at 12 months' post-treatment was significantly higher than in controls. The angle of deviation of the knee joint in RF group was significantly larger than in the control group at 6 months' post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RF shrinkage treatment for ACL laxity could improve knee scores, and may affect proprioception and recovery of activity after surgery.

Laser therapy and needling in myofascial trigger point deactivation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different approaches to deactivating myofascial trigger points (MTPs). Twenty-one women with bilateral MTPs in the masseter muscle were randomly divided into three groups: laser therapy, needle treatment and control. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated after four sessions with intervals ranging between 48 and 72 h. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to measure pain perception/sensation. The Wilcoxon test based on results expressed on a visual analog scale (VAS) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in pain only in the laser and needle treatments groups, although a significant increase in the pressure pain threshold was evident only for needling with anesthetic injection (P = 0.0469), and laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm² (P = 0.0156). Based on these results, it was concluded that four sessions of needling with 2% lidocaine injection with intervals between 48 and 72 h without a vasoconstrictor, or laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm², are effective for deactivation of MTPs.

Effect of whole-body vibration on delayed onset muscular soreness, flexibility, and power.

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) occurs after unaccustomed or intense bouts of exercise. The effects of DOMS peak at approximately 48 hours postexercise, and DOMS is treated, albeit not highly successfully, in a variety of ways including the use of medication and therapeutic modalities. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) on DOMS through Visual Analog Scale (VAS) measures of perceived pain/soreness and to assess the effect of WBV on flexibility and explosive power after induced DOMS. Twenty healthy college-aged participants (10 men and 10 women) volunteered for this study and were randomly assigned to the experimental or the control group. Participants completed baseline measures for VAS, hamstring and lower back flexibility, and explosive power before completing a DOMS-inducing exercise. Measures for VAS, hamstring and lower back flexibility, and explosive power were measured immediately postexercise and again immediately posttreatment. Participants reported back to the laboratory for 4 additional data collections sessions. Both the experimental and control groups yielded significant differences (p < 0.05) in pretest and posttest DOMS between baseline and pretest and posttest 1, pretest and posttest 2, and pretest and posttest 3. No significance (p > 0.05) was found within or between groups when comparing preassessments and postassessments of DOMS, flexibility, or explosive power. No differences (p > 0.05) between WBV and light exercise were found for DOMS, flexibility, and explosive power. These results suggest that WBV is equally as effective as light exercise in reducing the severity of DOMS. Thus, WBV may be used as a recovery option in addition to current treatments.

Low level laser therapy as an adjunctive technique in the management of temporomandibular disorders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of low level laser therapy on subjects with intra-articular temporomandibular disorders (IA-TMD), and to quantify and compare severity of signs and symptoms before, during, and after the laser applications. The sample consisted of 45 subjects randomly divided into three groups (G) of 15 subjects each: G-I: 15 individuals with IA-TMD submitted to an energy dose of 52.5 J/cm2; G-II: dose of 105.0 J/cm2; and G-III: placebo group (0 J/cm2). In all groups, the applications were performed on condylar points on the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. Two weekly sessions were held for five weeks, totaling 10 applications. The assessed variables were: mandibular movements and painful symptoms evoked by muscle palpation. These variables were measured before starting the study, then immediately after the first, fifth, and tenth laser application, and finally, 32 days after completing the applications. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences for G-I and G-II at the level of 1% between the doses, as well as between assessments. Therefore, it was concluded that the use of low level laser increased the mean mandibular range of motion and reduced painful symptoms in the groups that received effective treatment, which did not occur in the placebo group.

Mandibular bone changes induced by head and neck radiotherapy.

CONTEXT: The mandible is inevitably affected by radiation during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers. Surveys have shown that most of the emphasis has been on osteoradionecrosis (ORN), while the other bony changes occurring in this area have been largely ignored. AIMS: In this study we examine the radiologic changes in the mandible of irradiated patients using panoramic radiography and compare it with the mandible in non-irradiated cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mandibular bone changes of 48 patients who had received therapeutic radiation for head and neck cancer were assessed. We measured the width of the cortex and the width of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs and assessed the changes by comparison with the mandibular bones of non-irradiated subjects. Clinical evaluations were performed for assessing maximum jaw opening, masticatory muscle tenderness, and presence of mucosal ulcers and/or exposed bone in the oral cavity. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Paired t-test, Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: There was no evidence of mucosal ulceration or exposed bone in irradiated patients. There was significant relationship between the number of years after radiotherapy and the degree of limitation of mouth opening (P = 0.000). Receipt of concurrent chemotherapy did not seem to have any additive effect on the width of mandibular canal or the thickness of the mandibular cortex. CONCLUSION: Reduction in the width of the mandibular cortex and dimensions of the inferior alveolar canal could be considered as one of the effects of head and neck radiotherapy.

Additive effects of low-level laser therapy with exercise on subacromial syndrome: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.

The subacromial syndrome is the most common source of shoulder pain. The mainstays of conservative treatment are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise therapy. Recently, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been popularized in the treatment of various musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this study is to evaluate the additive effects of LLLT with exercise in comparison with exercise therapy alone in treatment of the subacromial syndrome. We conducted a randomised clinical study of 80 patients who presented to clinic with subacromial syndrome (rotator cuff and biceps tendinitis). Patients were randomly allocated into two groups. In group I (n = 40), patients were given laser treatment (pulsed infrared laser) and exercise therapy for ten sessions during a period of 2 weeks. In group II (n = 40), placebo laser and the same exercise therapy were given for the same period. Patients were evaluated for the pain with visual analogue scale (VAS) and shoulder range of motion (ROM) in an active and passive movement of flexion, abduction and external rotation before and after treatment. In both groups, significant post-treatment improvements were achieved in all parameters (P = 0.00). In comparison between the two groups, a significant improvement was noted in all movements in group I (P = 0.00). Also, there was a substantial difference between the groups in VAS scores (P = 0.00) which showed significant pain reduction in group I. This study indicates that LLLT combined exercise is more effective than exercise therapy alone in relieving pain and in improving the shoulder ROM in patients with subacromial syndrome.

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To assess the scientific evidence on the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and PEDro were manually and electronically searched up to February 2010. Two independent reviewers screened, extracted, and assessed the quality of the publications. A meta-analysis- was performed to quantify the pooled effect of LLLT on pain and function in patients with chronic TMD. RESULTS: The literature search identified 323 papers without overlap between selected databases, but after the two-phase study selection, only six randomized clinical trials (RCT) were included in the systematic review. The primary outcome of interest was the change in pain from baseline to endpoint. The pooled effect of LLLT on pain, measured through a visual analog scale with a mean difference of 7.77 mm (95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.49 to 18.02), was not statistically significant from placebo. Change from baseline to endpoint of secondary outcomes was 4.04 mm (95% CI 3.06 to 5.02) for mandibular maximum vertical opening; 1.64 mm (95% CI 0.10 to 3.17) for right lateral excursion and 1.90 mm (95% CI: -4.08 to 7.88) for left lateral excursion. CONCLUSION: Currently, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness of LLLT in the treatment of TMD.

The anti-inflammatory effect of low-level laser therapy on experimentally induced inflammation of rabbit temporomandibular joint retrodiscal tissues.

AIMS: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on experimentally induced inflammation in retrodiscal tissues of the rabbit temporo?mandibular joint (TMJ) using scintigraphic imaging. METHODS: Eleven male New Zealand rabbits were included in this study. Six randomly selected rabbits were imaged to provide normal joint images (normal group) before the initiation of the experiment. A 5% formalin solution was locally injected into both right and left TMJs of all rabbits. Subsequently, Ga-Al-As laser (wavelength: 815 nm; energy density: 12 J/cm2; output power: 250 mW) was applied for 48 seconds. The treatment was performed six times for 2 weeks to the left TMJ of all rabbits. The right TMJs of the rabbits were used as the control (nontreated) TMJ group, while left TMJs were used as the treated TMJ group. Static images of TMJ were taken at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after the beginning of the treatment. The images of all TMJs were taken in the posteroanterior direction with the rabbit under sedation and its mouth open. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare group differences, and intragroup differences were determined by the Friedman test and Wilcoxon sign test. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between normal and both the control and treated TMJ groups. A reduction of inflammation in both treated and control TMJ groups was obtained, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions used in this study, quantitative scintigraphic measurements of TMJ inflammation of the treated TMJ group decreased but did not differ significantly from those of the control TMJ group.

Effect of light-emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) on knee extensor muscle fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of light-emitting diodes therapy (LEDT) on quadriceps muscle fatigue by using torque values from the isokinetic dynamometer as an outcome measure. BACKGROUND DATA: Light therapy is considered an innovative way to prevent muscle fatigue. Although positive results have been obtained in animal models and in clinical experiments, no results are available on the effects of this therapeutic modality on human performance studies with isokinetic dynamometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen healthy and physically active male volunteers were included in a crossover randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. They performed two sessions of an isokinetic fatigue test (30 maximal concentric knee flexion-extension contractions; range of motion, 90 degrees; angular velocity, 180 degrees per second) after LEDT or placebo treatment. Maximal knee extensor muscle isokinetic voluntary contractions were performed before (PRE-MVC) and after (POST-MVC) the fatigue test. LEDT treatment was performed with a multidiode cluster probe (34 red diodes of 660 nm, 10 mW; 35 infrared diodes of 850 nm, 30 mW) at three points of the quadriceps muscle, with a total irradiating dose of 125.1 J. RESULTS: No differences were observed in the PRE-MVC between LEDT (284.81 ± 4.52 Nm) and placebo (282.65 ± 52.64 Nm) treatments. However, for the POST-MVC, higher torques (p = 0.034) were observed for LEDT (237.68 ± 48.82 Nm) compared with placebo (225.68 ± 44.14 Nm) treatment. CONCLUSION: LEDT treatment produced a smaller maximal isometric torque decrease after high-intensity concentric isokinetic exercise, which is consistent with an increase in performance.

Postoperative single-fraction radiation for prevention of heterotopic ossification of the elbow.

PURPOSE: Heterotopic ossification (HO) about the elbow has been described after surgery, trauma, and burns. Even limited deposits can lead to significant functional deficits. Little data exist regarding outcomes of patients treated with radiation therapy (RT) after elbow surgery. We report here the Cleveland Clinic experience with single-fraction radiation following surgery to the elbow. The primary endpoint was the rate of new HO after RT. Secondary endpoints were range of motion, functional compromise, and toxicity. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From May 1993 to July 2006, 36 patients underwent elbow surgery followed by single-fraction RT. Range of motion data were collected before and during surgery and at last follow-up. Radiographs were reviewed for persistent or new HO. Patient and treatment factors were analyzed for correlation with development of HO or functional compromise. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 8.7 months, median age was 42 years, and 75% of patients were male. Twenty-six (72%) patients had HO prior to surgery. All patients had significant limitations in flexion/extension or pronation/supination at baseline. Thirty-one (86%) patients had prior elbow trauma, and 26 (72%) patients had prior surgery. RT was administered a median of 1 day postoperatively (range, 1-4 days). Thirty-four patients received 700 cGy, and 2 patients received 600 cGy. Three (8%) patients developed new HO after RT. All patients had improvement in range of motion from baseline. No patient or treatment factors were significantly associated with the development of HO or functional compromise. CONCLUSIONS: Single-fraction RT after surgery to the elbow is associated with favorable functional and radiographic outcomes.

Radiation therapy for prevention of heterotopic ossification about the elbow.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic and functional outcome after prophylactic radiation therapy (RT) for prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) about the elbow joint. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 20 patients with symptomatic HO were treated using perioperative single-dose RT of 7.0 Gy. 15 patients had excision of preexisting functionally relevant HO, and received RT for prevention of a recurrence, and five patients were treated prophylactically because of risk factors. In 13 patients RT was applied within 5 h preoperatively, seven patients received postoperative RT. The local control was evaluated by plain radiographs and the functional outcome was assessed by use of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 43.3 months, two patients had recurrence of the HO and were treated with further surgical resection. In the remaining 18 patients no progression of the HO was observed. At follow-up, the MEPS varied from 45 to 100 with 13 patients having no functional impairment (MEPS 100). Five patients experienced a slight limitation of the elbow with an MEPS ranging from 75 to 95, and only two had persistence of marked impairment with an MEPS of 45 and 50, respectively. Adverse effects related to use of RT were observed in none of the treated cases. CONCLUSION: Pre- or postoperative RT is effective for prevention of HO about the elbow joint and can be recommended as an integral component of interdisciplinary treatment in complicated elbow fractures. At this, the use of MEPS has proven to be a feasible method for evaluation of the functional outcome.

Magnitude of late effects of breast cancer treatments on shoulder function: a systematic review.

Late effects of treatment for breast cancer on shoulder function have been documented by a number of investigators; however, many studies include only prevalence data. When comparisons are provided that assess differences between treatment groups, only P-values without magnitudes of effect are often reported. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify literature that could be used to examine the magnitude of late effects of breast cancer treatments on shoulder function with a particular focus on axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) and on radiotherapy. A comprehensive search of online databases was performed for research papers published between 1980 and 2008 that provided comparison data between treatment groups, between the affected and unaffected side of individuals, or between pre-operative and subsequent assessments 12 months or more after diagnosis of breast cancer. Papers that met inclusion criteria were reviewed using a methodological checklist. Standardized effect sizes were computed for continuous data; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed for dichotomous data if not already available. Twenty-two papers met the inclusion criteria. With a few exceptions, most analyses showed excess shoulder morbidity with breast cancer treatment, ALND, or radiotherapy. Although effect sizes varied, moderate to large effects predominated across the different outcomes. There is sufficient evidence of late effects of ALND or radiotherapy post-breast cancer to warrant careful attention to shoulder function across time in individuals who have had breast cancer. Implications for future shoulder dysfunction are discussed.

An analysis of thoracic and abdominal tumour motion for stereotactic body radiotherapy patients.

An analysis of thoracic and abdominal tumour motion for stereotactic body radiotherapy patients was performed using more than 70 h of tumour motion estimated from the correlation between the external and internal motion for 143 treatment fractions in 42 patients. The tumour sites included lungs (30 patients) and retroperitoneum (12 patients). The overall mean respiratory-induced peak-to-trough distance was 0.48 cm, with individual treatment fraction means ranging from 0.02 to 1.44 cm. The overall mean respiratory period was 3.8 s, with individual treatment fraction means ranging from 2.2 to 6.4 s. In 57 treatment fractions (40%), the mean respiratory-induced peak-to-trough distance was greater than 0.5 cm. In general, tumour motion was predominantly superior-inferior (60% of all the treatment fractions), while anterior-posterior and left-right motion were 22% and 18%, respectively. The motion was predominantly linear, and the overall mean of the first principal component was 94%. However, for motion magnitude, direction and linearity, large variations were observed from patient to patient, fraction to fraction and cycle to cycle.

Comparison in the effect of linear polarized near-infrared light irradiation and light exercise on shoulder joint flexibility.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at comparing the effect of linear polarized near-infrared light irradiation (PL irradiation) and bicycle exercise with 50%HRreserve on the flexibility of the shoulder joint. DESIGN: Placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Twenty-four healthy young adults (10 males: mean+/-SD, age 20.9+/-3.1 y, height 171.0+/-3.9 cm, body mass 63.4+/-3.5 kg and 14 females: age 21.2+/-1.7 y, height 162.0+/-7.8 cm, body mass 56.2+/-7.2 kg). INTERVENTIONS: PL-irradiation (100%, 1800 mW), placebo-irradiation (10%,180 mW), and light exercise (50%HRreserve) for 10 minutes. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The shoulder joint angles were measured twice-before and after each intervention. We measured the angles when the right shoulder joint extended forward and flexed backward maximally without support, and analyzed these shoulder joints and range of motion. Trial-to-trial reliability (intraclass correlations) of each joint angle was very high, over 0.98. All joint angles showed significant changes, and values in post-PL-irradiation and postlight exercise were significantly greater than that in postplacebo-irradiation. Shoulder forward flexion and backward extension angles had significantly greater change rates in PL-irradiation and light exercise than placebo-irradiation, and their range of motion angle was in the order of PL-irradiation, light exercise, and placebo-irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that PL-irradiation produces almost the same effect on shoulder joint range of motion as light exercise.