{
  "abstract": "Introduction Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), particularly when combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF), is a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing musculoskeletal disorders. However, high-quality evidence for its efficacy in lateral epicondylitis remains limited.Objectives The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of PBMT-sMF vs placebo in reducing pain, improving function and modulating inflammatory markers in individuals with lateral epicondylitis.Design Multicentre, randomised, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.Setting Three outpatient physiotherapy clinics in Brazil.Participants 50 adults (18–50 years) with unilateral lateral epicondylitis and baseline pain ≥50 on the visual analogue scale (VAS).Interventions Participants received either active PBMT-sMF (n=25) or placebo (n=25), 2 times per week for 3 weeks. PBMT-sMF involved multi-wavelength irradiation at 4 epicondyle sites (60 s; 27.1 J/site). The placebo group underwent the same procedure without active irradiation.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was degree of pain rating (VAS). Secondary outcomes included forearm disability (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation, PRTEE), grip strength, serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and treatment satisfaction. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment (3 weeks) and at 4-week follow-up.Results PBMT-sMF yielded a higher responder rate (defined as the proportion of participants achieving at least a 30% reduction in pain intensity relative to baseline) than placebo (72% vs 40%, p=0.045), with a clinically and statistically significant between-group difference. Compared with placebo, the PBMT-sMF group showed significantly greater reductions in pain intensity both at the end of treatment (51.4±19.8 vs 36.9±22.6; p=0.0223) and at follow-up (37.4±24.1 vs 20.3±21.2; p=0.0049). TNF-α levels also decreased significantly in the PBMT-sMF group compared with placebo at both time points (p<0.0001 and p=0.0019, respectively). No significant between-group differences were observed for PRTEE scores, grip strength or treatment satisfaction. No major adverse events were reported.Conclusions PBMT-sMF significantly reduced pain intensity and TNF-α levels, suggesting an anti-inflammatory mechanism. Although functional outcomes were not improved, PBMT-sMF may be a valuable short-term, non-invasive option for lateral epicondylitis pain management.Trial registration number NCT04829734 on ClinicalTrials.gov",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Marcelo Ferreira Duarte de Oliveira"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Ernesto Cesar Pinto Leal-Junior"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Caroline dos Santos Monteiro Machado"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Neide Firmo Ribeiro"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Luana Barbosa Dias"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Matheus Marinho Aguiar Lino"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Older Manoel Araújo-Silva"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Laboratory of Phototherapy and Innovative Technologies in Health (LaPIT), Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidade Nove de Julho, São Paulo, SP, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Heliodora Leão Casalechi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Multi Radiance Medical, Solon, Ohio, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Douglas Scott Johnson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "ELJ Consultancy, Scientific Consultants, São Paulo, Brazil"
      ],
      "name": "Shaiane Silva Tomazoni"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Effects of photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field on pain and function in patients with lateral epicondylitis: a multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial",
  "uid": "bf520ea7-56ff-584b-8f66-189258ddf3c2"
}