Sensory and motor responses after photobiomodulation associated with physiotherapy in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury: clinical, randomized trial.

Complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent neurological deficits due to the interruption of nerve impulses, causing the loss of motor and sensory function, which leads to a reduction in quality of life. The focus of rehabilitation for such individuals is to improve quality of life and promote functional recovery. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has proved to be promising complementary treatment in cases of SCI. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PBM combined with physiotherapy on sensory-motor responses below the level of the injury and quality of life in individuals with SCI. Thirty participants were randomized for allocation to the PBM group (active PBM + physiotherapy) or sham group (sham PBM + physiotherapy). Physiotherapy was administered three times a week. Sensitivity and motor skills were evaluated using the ASIA impairment scale. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. The data were analyzed with the level of significance set to 5%. Improvements in sensitivity and an increase in the perception of muscle contraction were found in the active PBM group 30 days after treatment compared with the sham group. The results of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire revealed a significant difference in general quality of life favoring the active PBM group over the sham group after treatment. Physiotherapy combined with PBM leads to better sensory-motor recovery in patients with SCI as well as a better perception of health and quality of life. Trial registration identifier: NCT03031223.

Photobiomodulation improves motor response in patients with spinal cord injury submitted to electromyographic evaluation: randomized clinical trial.

Photobiomodulation is a treatment that has been widely used in neurotrauma and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, low-level laser therapy was administered to patients with spinal cord injury. Twenty-five individuals were divided into two groups: placebo photobiomodulation plus physiotherapy and active photobiomodulation plus physiotherapy. Electromyographic evaluations were performed before and after 12 sessions of phototherapy as well as 30 days after the end of treatment. In the active phototherapy group, median frequency values of the brachial biceps and femoral quadriceps muscles were higher at rest and during isotonic contraction 30 days after photobiomodulation (p = 0.0258). No significant results were found regarding the rest and isotonic conditions in the pre-photobiomodulation period (p = 0.950) or immediately following photobiomodulation (p = 0.262). The data provide evidence that phototherapy improves motor responses in individuals with spinal cord injury, as demonstrated by differences in the EMG signal before and after treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT 03031223.