The Efficacy of High-Intensity Laser Therapy for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

A recent study published in Lasers and Medical Science examined the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy on patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. The study involved 63 patients who were divided into two groups: one receiving exercises and high-intensity laser therapy, and the other receiving the same exercises but with the laser turned off (sham laser). Results demonstrated that both groups showed significant recovery in pain levels, range of motion, functional capacity, quality of life, and muscle strength. However, the group receiving actual laser therapy had more significant improvements in most of the evaluated parameters. At the three-week mark, 25 out of 26 markers showed improvement in the laser therapy group, compared to 20 in the sham laser group. Moreover, at the 12-week follow-up, all 26 markers showed improvement in the laser therapy group, while the sham laser group only maintained improvement in 14 out of 26 markers. These findings suggest that incorporating high-intensity laser therapy into treatment plans for shoulder impingement syndrome can lead to better and longer-lasting results.