Effect of laser acupuncture on inflammatory markers and chest expansion in children with parapneumonic effusion

Abstract

Background: Parapneumonic effusion and pleural empyema are the most common complications of community acquired pneumonia in children. Recently an increase in the incidence and severity of parapneumonic pleural effusion in paediatric populations has been observed. Objective: To detect the effect of laser acupuncture as a non-invasive anti-inflammatory treatment procedure on controlling the inflammatory markers and improving chest expansion in children complaining from parapneumonic effusion following acquired pneumonia. Patients and methods: Thirty children with parapneumonic effusion as a complication of acquired pneumonia, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years were selected from El-Abbasia chest diseases hospital. They were randomly assigned into two groups of equal number (control and study groups 15 patient in each group) Patients in both groups were treated by selected chest physical therapy program while patients in the study group received an additional laser acupuncture intervention that was conducted 3 times per week for 2 successive months. Chest expansion and inflammatory markers were measured before and after the suggested treatment period. Results: The results showed a statistically significant reduction of C-reactive protein (CRP) a significant increase in the mean values of chest expansion, while insignificant difference in the mean values of WBCs and Neutrophilia was recorded. Conclusion: Laser acupuncture therapy is an effective non-invasive physical therapy modality in treating children with parapneumonic effusion following the acquired pneumonia where it is added to conventional chest physiotherapy program alone.