Record Status This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database. Citation Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Institute of Health Economics. The use of low level laser therapy in wound care in Alberta, Canada: results of a survey of physical therapists involved in rehabilitation, long term care and home care. Edmonton: Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). 2001 Authors' objectives In March 2000, a survey was mailed out to 273 physical therapists involved in rehabilitation, home care and long term care in the province of Alberta. The purpose of the survey was to determine the amount of use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in wound care.
Authors' conclusions The survey response rate was 81.3% (or 222/273). Results showed that 23.1% (51/221) of all respondents used low level lasers in the treatment of their wound patients. When broken down by type of care, 35.1% 27/77) of physical therapists involved in long term care used LLLT in comparison with 27.3% (18/66) of those in home care and 7.7% (6/78) of physical therapists involved in rehabilitation.
The majority of physical therapists believed that low level laser therapy was an effective therapy for wound care, regardless of whether or not they used it in practice. Specifically, 90.2% who used LLLT believed it was effective whereas 56.2% who did not use LLLT believed it was effective.
There was no statistically significant difference in the use of LLLT between physical therapists in the Calgary Regional Health Authority (19.6%) and those in Capital Health (24.0%).
Indexing Status Subject indexing assigned by CRD MeSH Low-Level Light Therapy; Wound Healing Language Published English Country of organisation Canada English summary An English language summary is available. Address for correspondence 1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018 Email: djuzwishin@ihe.ca or Finnish Office for Health Care Technology Assessment, FinOHTA/STAKES, P.O. Box 220, 00531 Helsinki, Finland AccessionNumber 32002000813 Date bibliographic record published 16/08/2002 Date abstract record published 16/08/2002 |