Effects of laser acupuncture on pain and motor function in musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IF 4 3区医学 Q1 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Complementary therapies in medicine Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-01-15 DOI:10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103323

Renming Liu , Aung Aung Kywe Moe , Zhen Zheng , Hamed Alanazi , Maryam Zoghi , Shapour Jaberzadeh

{"title":"Effects of laser acupuncture on pain and motor function in musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Renming Liu , Aung Aung Kywe Moe , Zhen Zheng , Hamed Alanazi , Maryam Zoghi , Shapour Jaberzadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.ctim.2026.103323","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Evidence suggests laser acupuncture (LA) may relieve pain and improve motor function in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), but the relationship between these outcomes is unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To (1) evaluate the effects of LA on pain and motor function outcomes in MSDs; (2) examine associations between pain modulation and motor function; and (3) explore the impact of treatment characteristics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ten databases were searched. Pooled effects were evaluated using Hedge’s g (<em>g</em>) through random-effects meta-analysis models, with subgroup analyses exploring heterogeneity (<em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup>). Meta-regression was conducted to examine the influence of treatment characteristics and associations between pain and motor outcomes. GRADE approach assessed the certainty of evidence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nineteen studies with 1816 participants were included. LA significantly reduced pain intensity (<em>g</em> = 0.59, <em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 68 %, GRADE = low), improved physical function (<em>g</em> = 0.50, <em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 67 %, GRADE = low), joint stiffness (<em>g</em> = −0.55, <em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 31 %, GRADE = moderate) and increased range of motion (<em>g</em> = 0.76, <em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 0 %, GRADE = moderate) but not walking speed (<em>g</em> = 0.38, <em>I</em><sup><em>2</em></sup> = 65 %, GRADE = low). Meta-regression showed that LA wavelength was significantly associated with pain relief (<em>β</em> = −3.77) and stiffness improvement (<em>β</em> = −3.07). However, pain relief was not associated with improvements in motor function.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>LA offers a non-invasive and effective approach for pain management and motor function performance, with wavelength as a key moderator. Functional benefits appear independent of analgesia, suggesting a feasible alternative for patients unable to tolerate exercise-based rehabilitation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10545,"journal":{"name":"Complementary therapies in medicine","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103323"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0000,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Complementary therapies in medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0965229926000063","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/1/15 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Evidence suggests laser acupuncture (LA) may relieve pain and improve motor function in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), but the relationship between these outcomes is unclear.

Objectives

To (1) evaluate the effects of LA on pain and motor function outcomes in MSDs; (2) examine associations between pain modulation and motor function; and (3) explore the impact of treatment characteristics.

Methods

Ten databases were searched. Pooled effects were evaluated using Hedge’s g (g) through random-effects meta-analysis models, with subgroup analyses exploring heterogeneity (I²). Meta-regression was conducted to examine the influence of treatment characteristics and associations between pain and motor outcomes. GRADE approach assessed the certainty of evidence.

Results

Nineteen studies with 1816 participants were included. LA significantly reduced pain intensity (g = 0.59, I² = 68 %, GRADE = low), improved physical function (g = 0.50, I² = 67 %, GRADE = low), joint stiffness (g = −0.55, I² = 31 %, GRADE = moderate) and increased range of motion (g = 0.76, I² = 0 %, GRADE = moderate) but not walking speed (g = 0.38, I² = 65 %, GRADE = low). Meta-regression showed that LA wavelength was significantly associated with pain relief (β = −3.77) and stiffness improvement (β = −3.07). However, pain relief was not associated with improvements in motor function.

Conclusions

LA offers a non-invasive and effective approach for pain management and motor function performance, with wavelength as a key moderator. Functional benefits appear independent of analgesia, suggesting a feasible alternative for patients unable to tolerate exercise-based rehabilitation.

查看原文本刊更多论文

激光针刺对肌肉骨骼疾病患者疼痛和运动功能的影响：一项系统综述和荟萃分析。

背景：有证据表明激光针灸（LA）可以缓解肌肉骨骼疾病（MSDs）的疼痛和改善运动功能，但这些结果之间的关系尚不清楚。目的：(1)评价LA对MSDs患者疼痛和运动功能结局的影响；(2)检查疼痛调节和功能之间的关系；(3)探讨治疗特征的影响。方法：检索10个数据库。通过随机效应荟萃分析模型，使用Hedge’s g (g)评估合并效应，并通过亚组分析探索异质性（I2）。进行meta回归以检查治疗特征的影响以及疼痛和运动结果之间的关联。GRADE方法评估证据的确定性。结果：纳入19项研究，共1816名受试者。LA显著降低了疼痛强度（g = 0.59, I2 = 68%, GRADE =低），改善了身体功能（g = 0.50, I2 = 67%, GRADE =低），改善了关节刚度（g = -0.55, I2 = 31%, GRADE =中等），增加了活动范围（g = 0.76, I2 = 0%, GRADE =中等），但没有增加步行速度（g = 0.38, I2 = 65%, GRADE =低）。meta回归显示，LA波长与疼痛缓解（β = -3.77）和僵硬改善（β = -3.07）显著相关。然而，疼痛缓解与运动功能改善无关。结论：LA为疼痛管理和运动功能表现提供了非侵入性和有效的方法，波长是关键的调节因素。功能益处似乎独立于镇痛，这表明对于无法忍受运动康复的患者来说是一种可行的选择。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Complementary therapies in medicine 医学-全科医学与补充医学

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

2.80%

发文量

101

审稿时长

112 days

期刊介绍： Complementary Therapies in Medicine is an international, peer-reviewed journal that has considerable appeal to anyone who seeks objective and critical information on complementary therapies or who wishes to deepen their understanding of these approaches. It will be of particular interest to healthcare practitioners including family practitioners, complementary therapists, nurses, and physiotherapists; to academics including social scientists and CAM researchers; to healthcare managers; and to patients. Complementary Therapies in Medicine aims to publish valid, relevant and rigorous research and serious discussion articles with the main purpose of improving healthcare.