Modulation of Pain Pattern with Intravenous Laser Blood Irradiation and Enbrel in Juvenile Arthritis

摘要

Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous laser blood irradiation (ILBI) on themodulation of the chronic pain pattern in juvenile arthritis, moderate and severe forms, under pharmacologicaltherapy with the biological agent etanercept (trade name Enbrel). Twenty patients (average age 12.4 yrs),diagnosed with active severe forms of arthritis, were included in a randomized placebo controlled study; 12patients received 5 intravenous laser therapy sessions, repeated monthly for 12 weeks and 8 patients (controlgroup) received only conventional therapy and placebo ILBI. At the end of the study the patients in group I whowere treated with intravenous laser had significant improvements in neck pressure pain thresholds, thumb flexionstrength and range of motion (p <0.05) compared to the control group.