pISSN 2287-8300
eISSN 2288-0224
eISSN 2288-0224
Data of selected human studies
| Author (year) | Study design (sample size) | Clinical information | Laser protocol | Main results (evaluation time) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordahan and Karahan (2017) 21 | RCT (44; LLLT = 23, C = 21) | LLLT = 44.7 ± 4.5 yrs, C = 45.3 ± 3.8 yrs; subacute BP (onset = not mentioned) | GaAlAs diode, 830 nm, 100 J/cm2, 2 min/point, 8 points/session, 18 sessions for 6 weeks | Combined treatment with LLLT and exercise therapy is associated with significant improvements in FDI when compared with exercise therapy alone. (FDI, 3 and 6 weeks after treatment) |
| Alayat, Elsodany, and El Fiky (2014) 22 | Double-blind RCT (51; HILT = 17, LLLT = 15, C = 16) | HILT = 43.8 ± 10.4 yrs, LLLT = 43.3 ± 10.1 yrs, C = 45.1 ± 9.4 yrs; acute BP (3-5 days after onset) | HILT: Nd;YAG laser, 1,064 nm, 10 J/cm2, 7 s/point, 8 points/session, 18 sessions for 6 weeks LLLT: GaAs diode, 830 nm, 10 J/cm2, 5 s/point, 8 points/session, 18 sessions for 6 weeks | Both HILT and LLLT improved the recovery of BP, with HLIT showing a slightly greater improvement than LLLT. (FDI, HBS, 3 and 6 weeks after treatment) |
| Aghamohamdi et al. (2020) 23 | Clinical trial (30) | female (18) = 40.7 ± 11.7 yrs, male (12) = 42.3 ± 13.7 yrs; BP in diabetics (onset = not mentioned) | Diode laser, 980 nm, 9 points for a period of one minute, 12 sessions for one month | After LLLT, diabetic patients had a higher grade of BP, which was confirmed by EMG and NCV results. (H-B Gr, one month after treatment) |
| Poloni et al. (2018) 24 | Case report (1) | 13 yrs, girl with BP (one week after onset), H-B Gr V | GaAlAs diode, 830 nm, 100 J/cm2, 0.47 min/point, 2 points/session, 3 sessions for 3 weeks | LLLT only: Total recovery of facial movement (3 weeks after treatment) |
| Rubis (2013) 25 | Case report (1) | 40 yrs, male with BP (10-days after onset), H-B Gr V | GaAs, 910 nm, 100 mW, 47.6 × 10 J, 0.5–1 min/point, 6 points/session, 2 sessions | LLLT + corticosteroids + chiropractic manipulation (4 times): Complete resolution |
| Fontana and Bagnato (2013) 26 | Case report (1) | 3 yrs, boy with BP (onset = not mentioned, acute), H-B Gr V | GaAlAs semiconductor diode, 780 nm, 10 seconds/points, 17.5 J/cm2 (first 4 sessions), 660 nm, 10-60 J/cm2 for 6th, 7th, 8th, 0.16 min/point, up to 80 points/session, 11 sessions for 3 weeks | LLLT only: H-B Gr I (in 3 weeks) |
| Tanganeli et al. (2020) 27 | Case report (1) | 71 yrs, female with BP (onset = not mentioned, acute), H-B Gr V | AsGaAl 808 nm, 120 J/cm2 10 points, 10 s/point, 10 point/sessions, 10 sessions for 6 weeks | LLLT only: H-B Gr I (6 weeks after treatment) |
| Bernal Rodriquez et al. (2020) 28 | Case report (1) | 25 yrs, female with BP (8 yrs after onset), H-B Gr IV | 660 and 808 nm, 40.65/60.97 J/cm2, 20/30 s/point, 59 points/sessions, 24 sessions for 8 weeks | LLLT only: H-B Gr II (8 weeks after treatment) *previously treated with physical therapy and electro acupuncture, Vit B-complex |
LLLT, low-level laser therapy; yrs, years; C, control; BP, Bell’s palsy; GaAs, gallium–arsenide diode; GaAlAs, gallium-aluminum-arsenide; FDI, facial disability scale; HBS, House-Brackman scale; H-B, House-Brackman grading system; S-B, Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system; EMG, electromyography; NCV, nerve conduction velocity.