The Effects of Laser Acupuncture Therapy on Nocturnal Enuresis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Nocturnal enuresis (NE), often known as bedwetting, is a common condition in children and, as a result, they may have subsequent social impairments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in children with NE.

METHODS

International databases with laser- and NE-related keywords were searched, and only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that used any type of LLLT to treat NE and compared it with any type of control intervention were included. Eleven studies using laser acupuncture therapy (LAT), involving 927 participants, were included for a systematic review. A meta-analysis was conducted using full and partial response-rate variables. The analysis was performed using referred eporting tems for ystematic reviews and eta-nalyses guidelines, and the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and rading of ecommendations ssessment evelopment and valuation recommendations for quality of evidence were used to rate all included publications.

RESULTS

The LAT groups showed significant improvement, compared with control groups when full response rates were analyzed. There was no significant difference between the groups treated with LAT and the groups who underwent medication therapy alone when full response rates were analyzed. Red and infrared wavelengths and continuous waves were the most commonly used LAT modalities, and lower abdomen and back acupoints were the most-common sites.

CONCLUSIONS

LAT seems to be an effective and safe treatment for NE; however, the quality of evidence available in the literature was relatively low. More-rigorous and higher-quality trials are needed to investigate this treatment modality further.