High Intensity Laser versus Low Intensity Laser Therapy in management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

A. A. M. Thabet, M. S. E. Mohamed, M. M. I. Ali, O. F. Helal
Energy for Health [10], 2013

Background: It is estimated that 30%-50% of women will suffer an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Laser therapy has a positive effect on bone regeneration and healing that is dependent on the characteristics of the light itself (eg, intensity and wavelength).
Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the possible effect of High Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) versus Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Methods: Thirty postmenopausal osteoporotic women participated in the study and were randomly divided in two groups. Group I consisted of 15 women receiving HILT, Group II consisted of 15 women receiving LLLT. Both groups have been exposed to three sessions of treatment per week for six successive weeks. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of lumbar spine (L1.-5) was measured by Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Evaluation of lumbar BMD was performed before and after the end of the six weeks of treatment.
Results: Comparing mean values before and after treatment, the BMD measures showed that both groups had a statistically significant improvement after laser therapy. Comparing the two groups, the improvement showed by BMD was higher in Group I (HILT) than in Group II (LLLT).
The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Laser can be an effective method for the management of osteoporosis and improvement of BMD in postmenopausal women. On the basis of the findings of this study, HILT results more effective than LLLT.