Pulsed high-intensity laser therapy versus low level laser therapy in the management of primary dysmenorrhea.

[Purpose] To determine the effect of pulsed high intensity laser therapy (HILT) versus low level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. [Participants and Methods] This was a randomized clinical trial that included 30 females diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea who were assigned randomly into two groups of equal numbers. The treatment was three sessions every cycle for three consecutive cycles, where group (A) received pulsed HILT and group (B) received LLLT. All participants were evaluated before and after treatment sessions by visual analogue scale (VAS) and at the end of treatment by pain relief scale (PRS). [Results] The results showed a significant decrease in the severity of pain in the two groups. Comparison between the two groups showed a statistically non-significant difference in the severity of pain and pain alleviation at the end of the treatment course. [Conclusion] Both pulsed HILT and LLLT are effective in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, with no significant differences between the two modalities.

Effect of high-power Nd:YAG laser on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa: an experimental study.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-power Nd:YAG laser on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial growth. [Materials and Methods] Seven samples of S. aureus and seven samples of P. aeruginosa were prepared in the microbiology lab, one used as a control sample and the remaining six samples used as experimental samples, which were irradiated by a high-power laser (LASERSIX ME, 15W) with a total dose of 500 and 700 J. The primary measure was the semi-qualitative assessment of turbidity and bacterial count; the turbidity was assessed 24 h after laser application. [Results] There was a significant decrease in turbidity in all experimental samples of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa after 24 h of high-power laser application for 500 and 700 J and a significant decrease in the colony-forming unit (CFU) value in both types, and there were no significant differences in turbidity and CFU when comparing 500 and 700 J. [Conclusion] A high power Nd:YAG laser was found to be an effective modality for inhibition of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth.

Lower-Limb Muscular Strength, Balance, and Mobility Levels in Adults Following Severe Thermal Burn Injuries.

Severe burn injuries are associated with hypermetabolic response and increased catabolism. These lead to a vast loss of muscle mass and reduced muscle strength and function. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the impact of severe burn injuries on lower-limb muscular strength, balance, and mobility level in adults. Forty burned adults with burned TBSA (burned TBSA) ≥40% participated in this study. The peak torque and total work of quadriceps and knee flexors were calculated at 150°/sec using Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Balance and mobility were tested via the Biodex balance device and the high mobility assessment tool, respectively. Twenty-three matched nonburned healthy adults were evaluated and served as a control group. Severely burned adults exhibited significantly lower peak torque and total work in their quadriceps (27.50 and 22.58%, P < .05) and knee flexors (23.72, and 21.65%, P < .05) relative to the nonburned adults. Burned adults had a significant decrease in stability index and balance including the dynamic limits of stability (P < .05). The high mobility assessment tool scores were significantly lower (42 ± 7.64, P < .05) when compared with control subjects (51 ± 1.62). Patients who had severe burns (burned TBSA ≥ 40%) showed muscular weakness, limited balance, and mobility levels between 16 and 24 weeks after discharge from the hospital compared with matched nonburned control subjects. These results can guide therapists in creating rehabilitation programs that focus on the specific difficulties faced by burned patients.

Effect of 12-week isokinetic training on muscle strength in adult with healed thermal burn.

INTRODUCTION: Severe burns result in marked and prolonged skeletal muscle catabolism and weakness, which persist despite 'standard" rehabilitation programmes of occupational and physical therapy. Therefore, the objectives of this study were of twofold: to quantify the long-term effects of burns on leg muscle strength and to assess whether adults with thermal burn would benefit from the isokinetic training programme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Burned adult patients, with 35-55% total body surface area (TBSA) burned, were assessed at 6 months after burn in respect to leg muscle strength at 150° s(-1), using isokinetic dynamometry. Non-burned adults were assessed similarly, and served as controls. The burned adults participated in the resistance training programme 3 times weekly. The isokinetic exercise programme was begun with 60% of the average peak torque. Intensity of isokinetic exercise was increased from one set to five sets during the first through fifth sessions and remained at six sets for the remaining 6th to 24th sessions. Finally, a dose of 10 sets was applied for the 25th to the 36th sessions. Each set consisted of five repetitions of concentric contraction in angular velocities of 150° s(-1) for knee extensors, and flexors. All exercise sessions were preceded by a 5-min warm-up period on the treadmill. RESULTS: Subjects with burns more than 35% of TBSA produced significantly less torque, work, and power in the quadriceps and hamstring than control subjects (20.5%, 15.2%, p<0.05). Three months after isokinetic programme, muscle strength further increased by 17.9%±10.1% compared to the baseline measurement for burned patients but continued to be below the concurrent age-matched, non-burned adult. CONCLUSION: We found that adults with severe burns, relative to non-burned adults, had significantly lower peak torque as well as total work performance using the extensors and flexors muscles of the thigh. Participation in isokinetic training resulted in a greater improvement in extensor and flexor muscle strength in adults with held thermal burn compared to base line values.