LIGHT AMPLIFICATION

Background: Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain (HSP) is a prevalent and disabling complication for stroke survivors, significantly hindering rehabilitation efforts and diminishing their quality of life. While conventional therapies exist, their efficacy is often limited, highlighting the need for safer and more effective non-invasive interventions. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has shown potential for pain management due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT in reducing hemiplegic shoulder pain among stroke survivors in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Methods: This study employed a randomized controlled trial design involving 42 participants with post-stroke HSP (24 males, 18 females). Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=21), which received LLLT combined with conventional physiotherapy, or a control group (n=21), which received conventional physiotherapy alone. The intervention period lasted for six weeks. The primary outcome measure, pain intensity, was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after the treatment period. Results: The experimental group experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain scores following the intervention (p < 0.001). Conversely, the control group did not show any significant change in pain levels (p = 0.366). The between-group analysis confirmed that the pain reduction in the LLLT group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p < 0.001), demonstrating the superior effect of the adjunctive LLLT treatment. Conclusion: LLLT, when used as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy, is an effective intervention for managing hemiplegic shoulder pain in stroke survivors. The findings provide evidence for incorporating LLLT into standard rehabilitation protocols as a non-invasive modality to enhance pain relief, potentially facilitating greater participation in therapeutic exercises and supporting overall functional recovery.