Parameters and Effects of Photobiomodulation in Plantar Fasciitis: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

This systematic review and meta-analysis updated the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), and the effects on fascial thickness in adults with acute or chronic plantar fasciitis (PF). A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed (Public/Publisher MEDLINE), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) databases. Two researchers independently screened titles and abstracts of the retrieved studies for eligibility. A random-effects model was used for this meta-analysis. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted to evaluate the influence of PBMT in pain and foot function under investigation and the study design on the overall weighted mean effect size. From a total of 3865 studies, 7 randomized controlled trials were selected after final review and 4 were selected for meta-analysis. There was a significant difference between PBMT and control for Visual Analog Scale (Chi = 29.30;  < 0.00001) with an value of 90% in favor of PBMT versus the control. The overall effect of PBMT was statistically significant ( < 0.02) with PBMT favoring for thickness of the plantar fascia reduction. FFI between PBMT and control group [Chi -83.46, df = 1 ( < 0.00001)];  = 99% in favor of the PBMT. This meta-analysis presents evidence that PBMT is an effective treatment modality to reduce pain and improvement of foot function in patients with chronic PF, however, a broad discrepancy was found in the PBMT dosimetry. The ideal treatment parameters for PF need to be elucidated.