What does this research mean for the field?

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) effectively alleviates pain and improves specific shoulder range of motion (flexion, abduction, external rotation) in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome, but does not significantly improve functional disability. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, shoulder range of motion, and functional disability in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.

September 14, 2026Lasers in Medical ScienceOpen Access

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, shoulder range of motion, and functional disability in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.
Systematic search across eight electronic databases identifying 17 studies comprising 21 randomized controlled trials with 1,118 patients.
Methodological quality was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and evidence quality was evaluated using the GRADE approach.
Low-level laser therapy significantly reduced pain compared with controls (MD = -0.54, 95% CI: -1.05 to -0.02, P = 0.04).
Therapy significantly improved shoulder flexion (MD = 4.35, 95% CI: 1.13 to 7.58, P = 0.008), abduction (MD = 3.72, 95% CI: 0.79 to 6.64, P = 0.01), and external rotation (MD = 1.96, 95% CI: 0.51 to 3.42, P = 0.008).
No significant differences occurred in shoulder extension (MD = 0.79, 95% CI: -0.47 to 2.06, P = 0.22), internal rotation (MD = 1.14, 95% CI: -1.51 to 3.78, P = 0.40), or functional disability (MD = -3.61, 95% CI: -9.49 to 2.26, P = 0.23).

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Implication

Meta-analysis reveals low-level laser therapy reduces pain and improves specific shoulder movements in subacromial impingement syndrome, suggesting targeted utility without overall functional gains.

Cite This Study

Chen et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa7dfc60926e14a848b3d1e https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-026-05028-7

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Implication

Meta-analysis reveals low-level laser therapy reduces pain and improves specific shoulder movements in subacromial impingement syndrome, suggesting targeted utility without overall functional gains.

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for subacromial impingement syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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