Results of the use of low-intensity laser radiation in the treatment of occupational polyneuropathies of the upper extremities

Abstract

Introduction. Effective therapy of occupational polyneuropathy of the upper extremities is a difficult task, because the characteristic clinical and neurophysiological manifestations of this disease persist for many years even after the termination of contact with the etiological harmful production factor - physical overload. Taking into account the low efficiency of existing treatment methods, as well as the peculiarities of the effect of low-intensity laser therapy (LILT), the task of developing a technique for using LILT for the treatment of patients with professional polyneuropathy and assessing its effectiveness during follow-up is very urgent. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LILT for the treatment of occupational polyneuropathy of the upper extremities. Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 236 patients with an established diagnosis of occupational polyneuropathy of the upper extremities are presented. All patients received usual drug therapy, the treatment of patients of the main group differed from the comparison group in that they were additionally treated with LILT according to the developed method. Results. The effectiveness of the therapy was assessed by studying the dynamics of pain in the hands using a visual pain rating scale, pulse velocity along the sensory fibers of the median and ulnar nerves. Changes in each of these parameters in subgroups were assessed at different stages of follow-up (before and immediately after treatment, after 3 and after 6 months). The division of patients into subgroups was carried out by determining type of the nerve fibers' damage. Conclusion: The developed method of LILT of professional polyneuropathy is simple and convenient for use in clinical practice: it is applicable both in a hospital and on an outpatient basis. After treatment, in patients from the main group, in contrast to the comparison group, there was a statistically significant increase in the parameters of pulse velocity along the sensory fibers of the median and ulnar nerves with a simultaneous decrease in the severity of pain. The effect of LILT in patients from the main group decreased after 6 months, which allows us to recommend such courses of LILT 2 times a year. LILT has a limited list of contraindications and is generally well tolerated by patients with minimal local side effects.