TY - JOUR
T1 - Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in Ménière's disease
T2 - A pilot study of 10 patients
AU - Teggi, R.
AU - Bellini, C.
AU - Fabiano, B.
AU - Bussi, M.
PY - 2008/8/1
Y1 - 2008/8/1
N2 - Objective: To assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for Ménière's disease (MD). Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with unilateral MD were included in the study; all presented with uncontrolled vertigo. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 patients received LLLT 20 min a day with a 5-mW soft laser for 6 mo, while group 2 received betahistine 16 mg twice a day for 6 mo. According to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines, the main outcome for vertigo control was considered to be the number of spells per month in the 6 mo before treatment compared with the same parameter in the 6 mo of therapy. The duration of spells expressed in minutes was also considered. Moreover, a hearing test was performed before and after therapy and results were reported as the pure tone average of 500-, 1000-, 2000-, and 3000-Hz frequencies. All results were valued at baseline, and after 3 and 6 mo of therapy. Results: Compared to baseline, the number and duration of spells were significantly reduced in both groups; statistical significance was detected for the 3-mo control in both groups (p <0.05 with the multiple pair comparison test). Betahistine seems to have a faster action in spell reduction (p <0.05 comparing the 3-mo results between the two groups). Audiometric examination did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: In our experience, LLLT seems to prevent vertigo spells in MD, although results indicate that it has a slower action than betahistine. Dose-dependent therapeutic effects could explain the last result. In our opinion, increased blood flow in the inner ear is the main mechanism leading to the therapeutic results.
AB - Objective: To assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for Ménière's disease (MD). Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with unilateral MD were included in the study; all presented with uncontrolled vertigo. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 patients received LLLT 20 min a day with a 5-mW soft laser for 6 mo, while group 2 received betahistine 16 mg twice a day for 6 mo. According to American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guidelines, the main outcome for vertigo control was considered to be the number of spells per month in the 6 mo before treatment compared with the same parameter in the 6 mo of therapy. The duration of spells expressed in minutes was also considered. Moreover, a hearing test was performed before and after therapy and results were reported as the pure tone average of 500-, 1000-, 2000-, and 3000-Hz frequencies. All results were valued at baseline, and after 3 and 6 mo of therapy. Results: Compared to baseline, the number and duration of spells were significantly reduced in both groups; statistical significance was detected for the 3-mo control in both groups (p <0.05 with the multiple pair comparison test). Betahistine seems to have a faster action in spell reduction (p <0.05 comparing the 3-mo results between the two groups). Audiometric examination did not show a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: In our experience, LLLT seems to prevent vertigo spells in MD, although results indicate that it has a slower action than betahistine. Dose-dependent therapeutic effects could explain the last result. In our opinion, increased blood flow in the inner ear is the main mechanism leading to the therapeutic results.
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U2 - 10.1089/pho.2007.2186
DO - 10.1089/pho.2007.2186
M3 - Article
C2 - 18665761
AN - SCOPUS:50649092408
VL - 26
SP - 349
EP - 353
JO - Photomedicine and Laser Surgery
JF - Photomedicine and Laser Surgery
SN - 1549-5418
IS - 4
ER -