The Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Functional Recovery among Experimentally Induced Peripheral Nerve Injury in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: A variety of etiological factors that lead to peripheral nerve injury include crushing, traction, long
fractures in bones, cutting injuries, entrapment neuropathies, infection, inflammation, and tumours of varying
degrees. LIPUS has a variety of biological effects on tissues, including speeding up the regeneration of soft tissues,
and lowering inflammatory reactions. In LLLT, low-level laser light with a wavelength of 808 nm is employed to
trigger a biological reaction.
Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional recovery of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and
low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treating the sciatic nerve in rats.
Methods: Using simple random sampling method and the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 rats in total were
chosen. A mechanical crush will be performed for 30 seconds using haemostatic forceps. The study’s rats were
divided into 3 groups at random: Group A received ultrasound for 21 days; Group B received laser for 21 days;
and Group C received no treatment. The toe spread assay was used to assess functional recovery 3 weeks after
surgery. Result: All three groups are statistically significant (p<0.005) when analysed using one-way ANOVA
during intervention period (7th, 24th, 21st day) but LLLT & UST has shown better improvement in their functional
index than the control group.
Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, LLLT significantly outperforms LIPUS in improving the functional
recovery of an experimentally induced rat model.