Infrared Laser and Classical Ballerinas' Feet

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Overuse injuries and painful symptoms in athletes and dancers (especially classical ballerinas) may lead to reduced functional performance. However, laser application may reduce pain and increase physical conditioning. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of infrared laser on classical ballerinas' feet. The hypothesis investigators was that the infrared laser would be able to reduce pain perception and enhance functional performance in ballerinas.

Detailed Description
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High risk of injuries and painful symptoms in athletes and dancers (especially classical ballerinas) may lead to reduced functional performance. The use of photobiomodulation may improve functional performance in ballerinas that are affected by foot pain. An aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) diode laser device was uded. Infrared laser (808 nm) was applied on ballerina's feet twice a week during three months. Thermography, algometry and unipodal static standing balance test were performed. There were pain relief and improvement of functional performance in ballerinas.

Official Title
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Effects of the Infrared Laser on Classical Ballerinas' Feet

Conditions
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Pain

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Infrared Laser


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: - Female adults who perform classical ballet training and feel pain in their foot Exclusion Criteria: - The occurrence of injuries in the last 6 months

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 25 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Interventional Model Description: To evaluate the immediate and long-term effects of infrared laser on classical ballerinas' feet.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Treatment<br>Laser treatment on ballerina's feet. | Device: Infrared Laser<br>* An aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) diode laser device (Twin laser, MMOptics, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) was used. The irradiation parameters were as follows: infrared laser (808 nm wavelength) with a spot area of 0.04 cm2, and an average optical power of 100 mW operated in a continuous mode during 1 minute per point, leading to an irradiance of 2,500 mW/cm2, energy of 6 J and fluence of 125 J/cm2 per point. The laser was applied on ballerina's feet twice a week during three months.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Analysis of pain for feet by algometry | Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed with an electronic algometer. The pressure was applied and the ballerinas were instructed to ask to say stop when the sensation changed from pressure to pain. Three PPT measurements were performed to obtain an average. | 3 months | 
| Analysis of pain for feet by the visual analogue pain intensity scale | A continuous scale comprised of a horizontal line with 10 centimeters in length was used. All ballerinas were instructed to make a mark with a pen at any point on the line between 2 verbal descriptors, one for each symptom extreme [No pain (score=0) and as bad as it could be or worst imaginable pain (score=10)]. | 3 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Balance Test | Static Standing Balance Test was performed. Ballerinas were instructed to stand on one foot to a maximum of one minute. The time was measured in seconds. | 3 months | 
| Thermal Analysis | Cutaneous temperatures of ballerina's feet were analyzed by thermography. | 3 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pain, Feet, Ballerinas