Photobiomodulation Associated With Conservative Treatment for Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Double-Blind, Superiority, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pedro Rizzi de Oliveira, Lucas Simões Arrebola, Kelly Cristina Stéfani and 1 others
PMID 36545533WHAT IT FOUND
Adding photobiomodulation to standard cast immobilization for acute Achilles tendon rupture did not improve function compared with sham.
However, patients receiving the active treatment reported significantly less pain when walking at weeks 12 and 16.
Key findings
01There was no statistically significant difference in functional scores (ATRS) between the photobiomodulation group and the sham group.
02Patients in the photobiomodulation group reported significantly less pain during walking at week 12 and week 16 compared with the sham group.
03Photobiomodulation did not produce significant differences in ankle range of motion or plantar flexor muscle strength at any time point.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study included only men, so results may not generalize to women. The therapist delivering the treatment could not be blinded, although the patient and the assessing therapist were blinded. No imaging was performed to verify structural changes in the tendon. The sample size was calculated based on the primary functional outcome, not pain, making the pain findings secondary.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the reduction in pain during walking as evidence that photobiomodulation improves overall recovery or function. The primary measure of function showed no benefit, and the pain findings were secondary outcomes in a trial powered for functional scores.