The use of phototherapy in peripheral nerve regeneration: an updated critical review.

This review describes the possible factors that may have contributed to the variability of the results between studies that have assessed the effects of phototherapy on peripheral nerve regeneration. Furthermore, it aims to make recommendations to overcome the methodological shortcomings identified. A search of the literature was conducted. In vitro and in vivo experimental studies and clinical trials were included. Twenty five studies were critically reviewed and showed considerable variability in irradiation parameters, techniques, approaches, length of irradiation courses, experimental injury tools and procedures. Many studies that have investigated the use of phototherapy in nerve regeneration produce positive results. However, the majority of these studies suffered from a number of shortcomings: no evidence of blinding and/or randomizing procedures, lack of specification of irradiation parameters, unspecified and/or inadequate tests in their experimental injury procedures, inappropriate irradiation parameters and/or poor experimental conditions.