Authors' objectives:

This aim of this report was to assess whether laser therapy improves healing and function in patients with tendinitis compared to no treatment.

Authors' recommendations: - Three studies were retrieved that met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two were conducted in the United Kingdom and one in Denmark. Papadopoulos et al (1996) and Krasheninnikoff et al (1994) evaluated the impact of low-level laser therapy on patients with lateral humeral epicondylitis of the elbows. Patients in the Saunders (1995) study had supraspinatus tendinitis. The sample size varied from 24 patients (Saunders, 1995) to 36 patients (Krasheninnikoff et al, 1994). - Based on the findings from the three studies, there is no evidence to support the effectiveness (or clinical benefits) of therapeutic low-level laser therapy over placebo in the management of tendinitis. - There were significant problems with the methodology of the retrieved studies that included: - Inadequate description of randomisation method (in two of the three studies). - Small sample size. - Lack of proper sample size (or power) calculation prior to commencement of the trials.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthservices/cce/evidence/

Year Published: 2001

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness

Contact Address: Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9594 7505; Fax: +61 3 9594 7552.

Contact Name: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Contact Email: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Copyright: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness (CCE)