We assess the long-term effect of pulsed high-intensity
laser therapy (HILT) in the treatment of the post-
mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). A total of 61 women participated in this study (30 in the
laser group and 31 in the placebo
laser group), with a mean age of 53.56 ± 1.11 years. Patients who were randomly assigned to the
laser group received HILT three times per week for 4 weeks, plus a routine
physical therapy program (RPTP). The placebo
laser group received placebo HILT plus RPTP. The outcomes measured were
pain level by visual analog scale (VAS), shoulder range of motion (ROM), and quality of life (QOL). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA with repeated measures to compare the differences between baseline and post-treatment measurements and after 12 weeks of follow-up for both groups. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Shoulder ROM significantly increased in the
laser group after 4 weeks of treatment and after 12 weeks of follow-up compared with the placebo group. VAS results showed a significant decrease post-treatment in the
laser group relative to the placebo group, and QOL results showed a significant improvement in the
laser group compared with the placebo group and still improved after 12 weeks of follow-up. HILT combined with an RPTP appears to be more effective in patients with PMPS than a placebo
laser procedure with RPTP.