著者

Nobuyuki Ushigome Takashi Harada Ikuko Okuni Toshio Ohshiro Yoshiro Musya Kazuhiro Mizutani Yu Maruyama Toru Suguro Kazuaki Tsuchiya

出版者

International Phototherapy Association

雑誌

LASER THERAPY (ISSN:08985901)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.17, no.2, pp.95-99, 2008 (Released:2010-11-02)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

2 3

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Spasticity following cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs) is a common occurrence, but remains a problematic entity to treat and interferes with mobility and self-care activities which are critical for successful rehabilitative outcomes. Low reactive-level laser therapy (LLLT) has attracted attention in a number of areas including spasticity associated with cerebral palsy. In the case of post CVA therapy, LLLT has been reported for pain treatment, but not spasticity. The present study examined the efficacy of LLLT in attenuating triceps surae muscle spasticity in CVA patients. The study subjects comprised 15 chronic CVA patients with spasticity, treated at our university hospital between 2002 and 2006. The LLLT device we used was a near infrared (830 nm) semiconductor laser device delivering 1 W in continuous wave (irradiance, 670 mW/cm2) . The laser probe was applied with mild pressure to the skin over the tibial nerve on the affected side, 30 sec/point (dose/point 20.1 J/cm2) repeated 3 times with a 5 sec interval between irradiations. Two sessions were given per week for 1 week. At the end of the week, we recognized LLLT effects in 11 cases out of 15. The other 4 patients had little or no effect but were in their fifties, and had successive bouts of ankle clonus. LLLT is a promising medical treatment for the attenuation of CVA-related spasticity of the triceps surae muscle spasticity, and facilitate voluntary movements in such patients. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which LLLT can attenuate spasticity.

著者

Yoshimi Asagai Ryuichi Ueno Yukio Miura Toshio Ohshiro

出版者

International Phototherapy Association

雑誌

LASER THERAPY (ISSN:08985901)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.7, no.3, pp.113-118, 1995 (Released:2011-12-14)

参考文献数

4

被引用文献数

17 18

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In patients with cerebral palsy of the tension athetosis type, a number of symptoms may be observed, including not only the fairly constant involuntary athetotic movements but also myotonic disorders of the motor function of all four limbs and trunk, vocalization and motions associated with eating such as mastication and swallowing. Aggravation of involuntary movements and pain in the neck and back are also seen in many cases. Existing conservative treatment methodologies have proved to be more or less ineffective, and limitations in functional training in adults have made treatment extremely difficult. We first employed low reactive-level laser therapy (LLLT) in a case of spastic cerebral palsy in 1994 with good results. In the present study, we applied laser irradiation (830 nm. 60 mW continuous wave) to all myotonic sites around the face and neck region where myotonia was severe in 20 patients with cerebral palsy of the adult tension athetosis type for which there was no effective treatment for their neck and back pain. Improvement of myotonia was seen in 19 patients while improvement of pain in the neck and back was seen in all the 16 patients who had pain in these regions. Suppression of myotonia reduced tonic vocalization making words easily heard; moreover, suppression of myotonia and involuntary movements improved working efficiency enabling the patient to perform fairly complex tasks such as word processing. Insomnia and dysuria also improved. Even in the most severe cases, assisting the patient became easier and breathing improved. LLLT with the 830 nm diode laser provides a new and effective treatment modality in this extremely problematic condition, has no serious side effects, and has the potential to improve these patients’ quality of life.