Open AccessImmediate effect of photobiomodulation therapy on Achilles tendon morphology and mechanical properties: An exploratory study
Author(s) -
Corrigan Patrick,
Cortes Daniel H.,
Grävare Silbernagel Karin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
translational sports medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2573-8488
DOI - 10.1002/tsm2.78
Subject(s) - achilles tendon , medicine , tendinopathy , tendon , placebo , achilles tendon rupture , low level laser therapy , surgery , laser therapy , pathology , laser , physics , alternative medicine , optics
Objectives Evaluate the immediate (within 4 hours) effects of laser‐induced photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on Achilles tendon morphology and mechanical properties in healthy and pathologic tendons. Materials and methods Twenty people with healthy Achilles tendons and twelve people with Achilles tendinopathy participated. One Achilles tendon received PBM treatment following an established protocol, and the contralateral side received a placebo treatment. Achilles tendon morphology and mechanical properties were evaluated bilaterally with ultrasound imaging and continuous shear wave elastography immediately before treatment, immediately after treatment, then 2 and 4 hours after treatment. Results There were no immediate effects of PBM on tendon morphology or mechanical properties when comparing the PBM‐treated side and placebo‐treated side within each cohort. Additionally, the effects of PBM did not differ between healthy and pathologic Achilles tendons. Conclusion When treated with a laser‐induced PBM treatment, healthy and pathologic Achilles tendons do not have immediate (within 4 hours) changes in tendon morphology or mechanical properties. These findings suggest that PBM therapy can be administered before other clinical treatments or high‐load activities.