Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Elders: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a noninvasive technique used in different medical fields. It has been applied in different medical areas such as wound healing, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disorders, cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease, pain, and arthritis, with different results. Recent attempts to develop nonpharmaceutical approaches are considered favorable for elders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LLLT on cognitive symptoms of elders.Material and methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating the effect ofLLLT on elders. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published before August ۲۰۲۲. RCTs meeting our selection criteria were included. Themethodological quality of the RCTs was evaluated according to the Cochrane risk-for-bias method.Findings: Overall, ۱۱ studies were included in this systematic review. The results showed that the positive and negative scales and agitation and excitement levels did not change significantly after LLLT. Besides, it was proved that LLLT can improve the quality of life and cognitive function among elders. When compared with pure exercise therapy, combinedLLLT phototherapy plus exercise therapy had additional benefits in reducing the severity ofpain, number of tender points, and fatigue. On the other hand, the results of the only RCT usingcombined LLLT phototherapy showed significant improvement in most outcomes except for depression when compared to placebo.Conclusion: Our results provided the most up-to-date and relevant evidence regardingthe effects of LLLT in elders. The findings suggest that laser therapy could be a promising treatment modality and an adjunct to pharmacotherapy in elders.

Keywords:

Systematic Review , Low-level Laser Therapy , Elders