830nm LED Phototherapy for Faster Return-to-Play in Collegiate Athlete Injuries: A Pilot Study

In collegiate athletics, student-athletes face the dual challenge of excelling academically while maintaining peak performance in sports. Injuries in high-contact sports can severely disrupt this balance, necessitating effective treatment strategies. This study investigates the application of 830 nm Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for managing sports-related injuries at Lehigh University. LLLT or LED Phototherapy aims to minimize athletes' time away from competition by focusing on pain reduction and enhanced healing. The research emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among medical staff, athletes, and coaches in creating efficient treatment protocols, aiming for quicker return-to-play times and improved recovery experiences.

This article explores the implementation of 830 nm LED Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)/ LED Phototherapy in the treatment of injuries among student-athletes at Lehigh University. It emphasizes the necessity for thorough injury management practices, clear communication among concerned parties, and evidence-based recovery protocols. The study focuses on how LED Phototherapy can aid in reducing pain and improving the healing process, thus minimizing the return-to-play time for athletes. A comprehensive analysis of injury types treated and the methodology involved in the therapy sessions is discussed, highlighting the significance of timely intervention and multi-disciplinary collaboration in sports medicine.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4846838/?fbclid=IwY2xjawI_IxVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHW2lTbrowqZjsPf0w960gpIoVLyVQHCESFOSAaPXTOI04eM8MKjDJOk2fw_aem_7N_GFqOB_pbf1RdxRAYGfA

doi:  10.5978/islsm.16-OR-03 

In today’s collegiate environment, student-athletes juggle rigorous academic demands and commitments to competitive sports. The primary goal is to excel physically and academically, yet injury management remains critical, as injuries can derail an athlete's career and aspirations. Injuries are prevalent in sports, particularly in contact sports, where overtraining and high participation rates contribute to higher injury occurrences.

This study examines the role of 830 nm LED Phototherapy or Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) at Lehigh University in promoting faster return-to-play (RTP) periods for injured athletes. Given that a small percentage of collegiate athletes transition to professional sports, their injuries must be treated with as much diligence as those of professional athletes. A multi-disciplinary approach involving athletes, coaches, medical professionals, and families is essential for developing effective treatment plans while addressing the varying expectations of the stakeholders involved.

The study utilizes the HEALITE II LED-LLLT system, which administers 60 J/cm² of near-infrared light, aiming to reduce pain and enhance healing processes. This system delivers 60 J/cm ²  of quasimonochromatic near-infrared non-ionizing light at 830 nm ± 7 nm in 20 min (irradiance of 50 mW/cm ² ). The freestanding unit sits on a lockable castered base, with “place and stay” friction hinges in both the articulated arm and 5-panel treatment head, and can be moved between treatment rooms. The hinged head panels enable the treatment head to be wrapped around a limb or a joint or spread almost flat to treat areas such as the back in a hands-free manner. The head is set up around 3 – 15 cm from the target tissue. Over the study period from January 2014 to May 2015, 395 injuries across 53 types were treated, with a median of 4.6 treatment sessions per injury. Common injuries included knee sprains and hamstring strains, with outcomes measured through pain attenuation on a visual analog scale (VAS) and the time to return to play compared with traditional recovery protocols.

The results indicate that incorporating LED Phototherapy into injury management protocols could enhance recovery rates and streamline the treatment process for student-athletes, ensuring their swift reintegration into competitive sports.

Most student-athletes treated with the 830 nm LED Phototherapy reported significant reductions in pain and inflammation, with pleasant mild surface heating during treatment sessions. Notably, there were no reported side effects or increases in pain during the treatment sessions. The sports medicine staff concurred that the hands-free application of LED Phototherapy was less intensive than other modalities used in clinical practice.

Study Group: 65 subjects participated, all providing informed consent. The Research Committee of Lehigh University approved the study.

Injury Types:

• Hamstring Strain: 22 (19 mild, 3 moderate)
• Knee Sprain: 22 (14 mild, 1 moderate, 1 moderate-severe, 6 severe)
• Ankle Sprain: 15 (11 mild, 3 moderate, 1 very severe)
• Costochondral Sprain: 4 (3 mild, 1 severe)
• Hip Pointer: 2 (1 mild, 1 severe)

• All subjects completed 2 to 6 treatment sessions, ranging from 3 to 5 sessions per injury.
• Follow-up duration was between 1 to 4 months.

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) Improvements

• Initial VAS scores ranged between 2 to 8 points, with 100% of subjects achieving a final VAS score of zero after treatment.
• The average RTP time for the treated subjects was 9.62 days, significantly shorter than the expected average of 14.8 to 24.9 days (mean 19.23 days), with a p-value of 0.0066, indicating statistical significance.

A survey was conducted with 112 subjects regarding satisfaction with treatment:

• Very satisfied (5): 38 subjects (33.9%)
• Satisfied (4): 50 subjects (44.6%)
• Somewhat satisfied (3): 16 subjects (14.3%)
• Somewhat dissatisfied (2): 4 subjects (3.6%)
• Very dissatisfied (1): 4 subjects (3.6%)

In total, 76.5% of respondents reported satisfaction with their treatment. Dissatisfaction was primarily attributed to treatment duration (20 minutes) and scheduling conflicts but not due to treatment efficacy.

• Hamstring Strains: Initial VAS scores ranged from 4 to 5; it required 4 to 6 sessions to achieve a score of 0.
• Knee Sprains: Initial scores ranged from 4 to 9; it required 5 to 6 sessions to achieve a score of 0.
• Ankle Sprains: Initial scores ranged from 4 to 8; required 2 to 3 sessions for most, except for a very severe sprain that required 4 sessions.

These results indicate the effectiveness of 830 nm LED Phototherapy in treating common sports injuries among student-athletes, leading to faster recovery and high satisfaction rates with the treatment process.

The findings from this study underscore the potential of 830 nm LED Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or LED Phototherapy as a valuable intervention in managing sports-related injuries among student-athletes. The ability of LED Phototherapy to alleviate pain and promote healing presents a significant advancement in sports medicine, allowing for a more efficient return-to-play process while respecting the multidimensional nature of injury management.

By facilitating prompt treatment and incorporating evidence-based protocols, athletic trainers, coaches, and medical staff can enhance the care provided to injured athletes. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of effective communication among all parties involved in the athlete’s recovery to align their motivations and expectations.

As collegiate sports programs increasingly recognize the value of innovative therapies like LED Phototherapy, it could pave the way for further exploration into optimizing athletic performance and ensuring athlete longevity. Future research should establish larger sample sizes and implement control arms to strengthen the conclusions drawn from such studies. Integrating LED Phototherapy into routine care protocols could redefine injury management practices and significantly improve outcomes for student-athletes facing injuries.