Premium
Effect of low‐level laser therapy on pain and perineal healing after episiotomy: A triple‐blind randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Alvarenga Marina B.,
de Oliveira Sonia Maria Junqueira Vasconcellos,
Francisco Adriana A.,
da Silva Flora Maria B.,
Sousa Marcelo,
Nobre Moacyr Roberto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.22559
Subject(s) - episiotomy , medicine , low level laser therapy , randomized controlled trial , surgery , laser therapy , laser , pregnancy , genetics , physics , optics , biology
Background and Objective Episiotomy is associated with perineal pain and healing complications. The low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) reduces pain and inflammation and stimulates the healing process. This study aimed to assess the effect of LLLT on pain and perineal healing after an episiotomy. Design/Materials and Methods A randomized, triple‐blind, parallel clinical trial with 54 postpartum women who had a spontaneous birth with a right mediolateral episiotomy. The women were randomized into two groups: the experimental group (applications of LLLT n = 29) or the placebo group (simulated LLLT applications n = 25). Three sessions of real or sham irradiation were performed at 6–10 hours after normal birth, and the 2nd and 3rd applications were performed at 20–24 hours and 40–48 hours after the first session, respectively. Perineal pain was recorded using a Numeric Scale ranging from 0 to 10 (0 = absence and 10 = worst pain). Perineal healing was assessed using the redness, oedema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale. Both groups were assessed four times: in each of the three LLLT sessions and at 7–10 days after normal birth. The groups were compared using the Student's t , Mann–Whitney, and Chi‐square tests. Results There was no significant difference between the groups regarding perineal healing after LLLT. The perineal pain scores were statistically higher in the experimental group in the first assessment and after the third LLLT. There was no significant difference between the groups related to the perineal pain scores 7–10 days after normal birth. Conclusion The use of LLLT does not provide any benefit for treating postpartum perineal trauma using these specific protocol and parameters. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:181–188, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.