Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion if the placebo-controlled group contained at least 10 patients and the patients and outcome assessors were blinded.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies that compared LLLT with placebo were eligible for inclusion. The studies had to use laser therapy with the following characteristics: the exposed area was the skin overlying the site of inflammation or post-inflammatory process in the tendon; the intensity and dose were as indicated in the paper; and treatment had to be given at least twice weekly and no less than six times in total. The paper listed the type, power density and dose of laser treatment given in each included study.
Participants included in the review
Studies of patients with tendinopathy, including studies with subgroups of patients with tendinopathy, were eligible for inclusion. The included studies were conducted in patients with epicondylitis, rotator cuff/biceps, patellar, Achilles, or plantar fasciitis tendinopathy. The participants generally had sub-acute and long-term tendinopathy with an average duration of symptoms of 3 to 4 months.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The studies had to assess the specified outcomes within 2 to 6 weeks. The review assessed pain preferably using a continuous scale. Measures of pain involving physical function of the treated tendon were selected where studies reported several measures of pain.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.