Improved Regeneration of Injured Sciatic Nerve of Rats by He-Ne Laser

Efficacy of multi-wave locked system laser therapy on nerve regeneration after crushing in Wister rats

[Purpose] To investigate the efficacy of the multi-wave locked system laser therapy on the regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries by evaluating the functional, electrophysiological, and morphological changes of the crushed sciatic nerve in Wistar rats. [Materials and Methods] Sixty male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were randomly assigned to control negative, control positive, or laser groups and subjected to no laser therapy or crushing, to crushing without laser therapy, or crushing followed by multi-wave locked system laser therapy five times/week for four weeks (power=1 W, energy density=10 J/cm², total energy=100 J), respectively. Functional, electrophysiological, and morphometric analyses were performed before and 7, 15, 21, and 28 days after crushing. The sciatic functional index, compound motor action potential amplitude, motor nerve conduction velocity, and nerve and myelin sheath diameters were measured. [Results] The sciatic functional index value decreased significantly, while the compound motor action potential amplitude, motor nerve conduction velocity, nerve diameter, and myelin sheath diameter increased significantly in the laser group post-treatment compared to the values in the control groups. [Conclusion] Multi-wave locked system laser therapy was effective in accelerating the regeneration of crushed sciatic nerves in Wistar rats.

The use of phototherapy in peripheral nerve regeneration: an updated critical review

This review describes the possible factors that may have contributed to the variability of the results between studies that have assessed the effects of phototherapy on peripheral nerve regeneration. Furthermore, it aims to make recommendations to overcome the methodological shortcomings identified. A search of the literature was conducted. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies and clinical trials were included. Twenty five studies were critically reviewed and showed considerable variability in irradiation parameters, techniques, approaches, length of irradiation courses, experimental injury tools and procedures. Many studies that have investigated the use of phototherapy in nerve regeneration produce positive results. However, the majority of these studies suffered from a number of shortcomings: no evidence of blinding and/or randomizing procedures, lack of specification of irradiation parameters, unspecified and/or inadequate tests in their experimental injury procedures, inappropriate irradiation parameters and/or poor experimental conditions.