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Pain reduction by infrared light-emitting diode irradiation: a pilot study on experimentally induced delayed-onset muscle soreness in humans

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Abstract

The present pilot study investigated the analgesic efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED). In view of a standardised and controlled pain reduction study design, this in vivo trial was conducted on experimentally induced delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Thirty-two eligible human volunteers were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=16) or placebo group (n=16). Immediately following the induction of muscle soreness, perceived pain was measured by means of a visual analog scale (VAS), followed by a more objective mechanical pain threshold (MPT) measurement and finally an eccentric/concentric isokinetic peak torque (IPT) assessment. The experimental group was treated with infrared LED at one of both arms, the other arm served as control. Irradiation lasted 6 min at a continuous power output of 160 mW, resulting in an energy density of 3.2 J/cm2. The subjects of the placebo group received sham irradiation at both sides. In post-treatment, a second daily assessment of MPT and VAS took place. The treatment and assessment procedure (MPT, VAS and IPT) was performed during 4 consecutive days. Statistical analysis (a general linear model followed by post hoc least significant difference) revealed no apparent significant analgesic effects of LED at the above-described light parameters and treatment procedure for none of the three outcome measures. However, as the means of all VAS and MPT variables disclose a general analgesic effect of LED irradiation in favour of the experimental group, precaution should be taken in view of any clinical decision on LED. Future research should therefore focus on the investigation of the mechanisms of LED action and on the exploration of the analgesic effects of LED in a larger randomised clinical trial and eventually in more clinical settings.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mr. T. Barbe and Mr. R. Deridder for their technical assistance in the collection of the data, as well as for their valuable input into the research design. Sincere appreciation is extended to the volunteers that participated in this study and to MDB-Laser (Belgium) for generously providing the light-emitting diode equipment. The authors also gratefully recognize Prof. Dr. G. Van Maele for assistance with the statistical analysis and for helpful discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185 (6K3), 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Elke Vinck, Barbara Cagnie, Pascal Coorevits, Guy Vanderstraeten & Dirk Cambier

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, Ghent University, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Guy Vanderstraeten

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  1. Elke Vinck
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  2. Barbara Cagnie
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  3. Pascal Coorevits
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  4. Guy Vanderstraeten
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  5. Dirk Cambier
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Correspondence to Elke Vinck.

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Vinck, E., Cagnie, B., Coorevits, P. et al. Pain reduction by infrared light-emitting diode irradiation: a pilot study on experimentally induced delayed-onset muscle soreness in humans. Lasers Med Sci 21, 11–18 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-005-0366-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-005-0366-6

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