Effect of Low Intensity Laser Therapy on Painful Bladder Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Laser therapy is a developing treatment for painful bladder syndrome (PBS), also known as interstitial cystitis (IC). Two  main types of lasers are used for IC/PBS: Erbium:YAG (Er:YAG) lasers and low-level laser therapy (LLLT). More research is needed to  determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of laser therapy for IC/PBS.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of low intensity laser therapy (LILT) on painful bladder syndrome.

Subjects and methods: This study included fifty male patients with painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis. They were split into  two equal groups: Study group (A) and control group (B). Every patient in the two groups had the same standard physical treatment  along with pelvic floor exercises to perform at home. Every patient also received the same prescription drugs and medical attention. For  three months, Group (A) got low-intensity laser therapy in addition to conventional physical therapy and medical attention. For three  months, the control group (B) only got standard medical care and physical therapy; each treatment session lasted for twenty minutes.  The patient was in a comfortable supine posture when the 10-minute LILT application was placed suprapubically, and the patient was in a  comfortable prone position when the other 10-minute application was placed beneath the lower back (T10-L1). Visual analogue scale  (VAS) measurement and clomipramine medication consumption estimation (CMI) were used.

Results: Results showed a highly significant  reduction in VAS and CMI at the end of the treatment program in groups (A) only.

Conclusion: So, LILT was effective in  improving the interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as manifested by the highly significant reduction in VAS and CMI.