Low level laser therapy (LLLT) for elderly residents in facilities of health care services

Abstract

The present study examines the usefulness of low level laser therapy (LLLT) given to residents in nursing homes for the elderly. In many cases the elderly have complications brought about by disuse. The disuse syndrome is a general term describing unhealthy symptoms caused by a considerable decrease in activity. The main symptoms include chronic pain, decubitus ulcers, cognitive disorders, deterioration in respiratory and circulatory functions, pneumonia, constipation, urinary tract infections, muscular dystrophy, bone atrophy, and so on. From these symptoms, we confirmed LLLT is effective for decubitus ulcers and improves the patients’ quality of life (QOL). However, only 10% of the patients, 2 of the 20 patients we treated, could return to their homes. © 2010, International Phototherapy Association. All rights reserved.