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Effect of 850 nm He-Ne Laser Therapy on Nerve Conduction and Foot Planter Pressures Distribution of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abeer Abdelrahman Mohamed Yamany and Kadria Bitesha

Introduction: Diabetic neuropathy patients are at very high risk for developing foot ulcer that may lead to lower extremity amputation and threaten the patient’s life.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of scanning 850 nm He-Ne infrared laser on nerve conduction, pain intensity, and foot planter pressure distribution of painful diabetic polyneuropathy patients.

Methods: Thirty diabetic neuropathy patients with pain and reduced nerve conduction velocity were randomly divided into two groups; an experimental group (active laser group, n=15) and a control group (placebo laser group, n=15). Peak static and dynamic planter pressure were measured under heel, big toe and little toe. Sural and Peroneal nerves conduction velocity and amplitude and pain level were measured before and after treatment in both groups. The active laser group had got scanning 850 nm He–Ne infrared laser on foot planter surface and lumbosacral area with 5.7 J/cm2 for 15 min/site/session, 3 session /week for four weeks.

Results: All measured parameters improved significantly in the active laser group, while no significant changes obtained in the control group. Comparison of post treatment measurements between groups showed that sural nerve conduction velocity and amplitude, pain level, and peak static and dynamic planter pressure were significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group. On the other hand there was no significant difference between groups for peroneal nerve conduction velocity and amplitude.

Conclusion: 850 nm He–Ne therapy with the applied parameter and technique was an effective modality for improving nerve conduction, redistributing foot plantar pressures and relieving pain of painful diabetic polyneuropathy patients.