NCT02749929

Low-level Laser Therapy in Wrist Fractures

A Double-blind Placebo-controlled Study of Low-level Laser Therapy in Wrist Fractures

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 53 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Bergen · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Approximately 15,000 persons in Norway suffer from wrist fractures during a year, making it the most prevalent fracture in this country. Treated conservatively, a cast is used for 4-6 weeks before removal. After discontinuation of the cast, physiotherapy is implemented to aid in improving range of motion and regaining function of the injured wrist. The pain after injury can affect the patient to a greater or lesser extent, and it is common to prescribe sick leave for shorter amounts of time after the injury. Studies suggest that a physiotherapy intervention with Low Level Laser therapy (LLLT) may reduce pain and swelling after acute trauma, and potentially promote healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of LLLT on pain and function at 2, 4, 8 and 26 weeks after injury.

Detailed description

Patients with wrist fractures are recruited from Bergen Municipal Emergency Ward, where they are randomly divided into two groups with concealed allocation. The fracture is immobilized with a cast, with a small opening where Low Level Laser therapy can be administered in skin contact. The patients will receive treatment 3 times a week, for 3 weeks. After discontinuation of the cast, the patients swelling, pain, grip strength and function of the wrist is measured. The patients will meet for follow-up controls until 26 weeks after injury.

Conditions

• Colles' Fracture

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Low level laser therapy	The laser is an infrared (invisible) 60 mW 904 nm Irradia Midlaser
OTHER	Placebo Low Level Laser Therapy	The placebo laser is an identical device to the active laser, made by Irradia Midlaser

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-04-01
• Primary completion: 2020-11-30
• Completion: 2021-04-27
• First posted: 2016-04-25
• Last updated: 2021-04-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Norway