Volume: 1 Issue: 1
Year: 2024, Page: 1-5, Doi: https://doi.org/10.71325/ajjms.v1i1.10
Received: Sept. 24, 2024 Accepted: Dec. 9, 2024 Published: Dec. 30, 2024
Introduction: Post herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic neuropathic pain condition that persists for months or even years following the resolution of herpes zoster (HZ) rash. The biological effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on pain and tissue repair are multifaceted and complex. Methods: The research followed PRISMA guidelines and utilized search terms such as "postherpetic neuralgia OR PHN, pain, low level laser therapy OR LLLT, varicella-zoster virus OR VZV, herpes zoster OR HZ, Systematic review and Meta-analysis, Randomized controlled trial " across Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library databases. Studies meeting eligibility criteria were included, and a forest plot analysis was obtained using a random-effects model with standardized mean difference (SMD) of 95% confidence interval which was calculated based on visual analogue scale (VAS) outcomes from selected studies. Results: Four eligible studies were identified and subjected to both qualitative and quantitative evaluations. The pooled standardized mean difference data (SMD = -6.39, CI = -11.06 to -1.72, p = 0.007) indicate that LLLT significantly reduces pain associated with PHN compared to conventional treatments. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that LLLT technology is more effective in reducing pain associated with PHN than conventional treatments. Importantly, there is no evidence suggesting adverse effects of LLLT treatment for PHN.
Keywords: Low-Level Laser Therapy, Randomized controlled trial, Herpes Zoster, Systematic review and Meta-analysis
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© 2024 Published by Laxmi Memorial Education Trust. This is an open-access article under CC BY 4.0 license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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