HILT and ESWT therapies show promise in osteoporotic hemiparetic patients
High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) have significant potential in improving the quality of life for long-term hemiparetic patients with osteoporosis, according to a study. When combined with traditional physical therapy, these therapies were found to reduce pain, enhance stability, and improve overall well-being.
In this randomized controlled trial, conducted over a 12-week period, a total of 120 hemiparetic patients with osteoporosis were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. The control group received conventional medication and traditional physiotherapy programs designed for stroke patients. Meanwhile, the HILT group received the same treatment as the control group, with an additional component of high-intensity laser therapy. The shock wave (SW) group received the standard intervention alongside shock wave therapy. All groups underwent 3 sessions per week of the specified interventions.
There was a statistically significant difference in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, indicating pain reduction. Both the HILT and ESWT groups exhibited substantial improvements compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between the HILT and SW groups in this aspect.
When assessing fall risk and stability, the study found that the HILT and SW groups outperformed the control group, with significant differences observed.
The study evaluated the patients’ quality of life using the QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire. The HILT and SW groups displayed a significant difference when compared to the control group. Notably, HILT therapy also exhibited an advantage over SW therapy in terms of QUALEFFO-41 outcomes.
Reference
Abo Elyazed TI, Al-Azab IM, Abd El-Hakim AAE, et al. Effect of high-intensity laser therapy versus shockwave therapy on selected outcome measures in osteoporotic long-term hemiparetic patients: a randomized control trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2023;18(1):653. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-04141-5. PMID: 37660042; PMCID: PMC10475189.
