Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) combined with exercise on popliteal angle, gross motor function, and quality of life in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
Patients and methods: This double-blind, randomized-controlled study included 21 children with spastic CP. Participants were randomly assigned to stretching plus LLLT (830 nm, 100 mW, 4 J/cm²; n = 11) or stretching alone (n = 10) for eight weeks. Outcomes included popliteal angle, Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL).
Results: Of the patients, 7 were male and 14 were female with a mean age of 9.62 ± 2.33 years (range, 5 to 14) years. Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in all parameters (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the LLLT group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in popliteal angles (p < 0.05). However, between-group differences for GMFM-88 and PedsQL scores were not statistically significant (p = 0.072, p = 0.438, and p = 0.471 for GMFM-88, PedQL General Fatigue and PedQL Sleep-related Fatigue respectively).
Conclusion: Combining LLLT with exercise demonstrates superior efficacy in reducing spasticity compared to exercise alone in children with CP. However, this combination cannot yield superior improvements in gross motor function or quality of life within the eight-week study period.