Recommended reading for those planning to make a LLLT study
Check this first:
WALT standards for conduct of randomized controlled trials: http://www.walt.nu/images/stories/files/walt_standard_for_conduct_of_randomized_controlled_trials.pdf
WALT standards for conduct of systematic reviews and meta analyses. http://www.walt.nu/images/stories/files/walt_standard_for_conduct_of_randomized_controlled_trials.pdf
WALT dosage recommendations. http://www.walt.nu/dosage-recommendations.html
Then consider this:
Requirements for a proper LLLT study
Technical parameters
- Name of instrument (producer), production year.
- Laser type and wavelength (e.g. 632.8 nm, HeNe laser)
- Laser beam characteristics (polarized, divergent, collimated)
- Number of laser sources (source distribution spatially)
- Beam delivery system (fibre optics, hand held probe, scanner)
- Pulsed or continuous emission (pulse repetition rate, type of pulsing and duty cycle)
- Output power (peak power / average power / energy per pulse)
- Power density (mW/cm²) at probe aperture (aperture size)
- Calibration of the instrument (external, internal, meter type)
Treatment parameters
- Treatment area (size and number of sites and/or number of treated points)
- Dose: Energy density (described in detail) in J/cm2 and/or J/point.
- Total dose per treatment session and total dose for the entire course of treatment.
- Intensity: Power density (at the treated surface) in mW/cm²
- Rationale for chosen dosage
- Treatment method (contact, pressure, distance illumination)
- Treatment distance (spot size), type of movement, scanning
- Sites of treatment (leg, knee, internal via fiber etc.)
- Intended tissue target (synovia, cartilage, ganglion etc) and its approximate distance from the skin surface.
- Number of treatment sessions (is it the same for all patients?)
- Frequency of treatment sessions (e.g. 2 per week for 3 weeks, then 1 per week)