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Rehab Tech Final > LASER > Flashcards

LASER Flashcards

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1
Q

UV light (e.g., UVC):

A

Antibacterial, wound healing

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2
Q

LED & SLED:

A

Broader, less focused light

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3
Q

Laser:

A

Monochromatic, coherent, and collimated

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4
Q

LED:

A

Light-emitting diode

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5
Q

SLED:

A

Supraluminous light-emitting diode

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6
Q

Photobiostimulation

A

The application of light energy to biological structures (e.g., tissues, cells, subcellular components) to trigger physiological changes in structure or function

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7
Q

Thermal MOA:

A

Heat increases circulation, soft tissue extensibility

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8
Q

Nonthermal MOA:

A

Alters cell metabolism (especially with LLLT)

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9
Q

Mechanical MOA:

A

May affect cell membrane permeability

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10
Q

Electrical MOA:

A

Modulates cellular electrical activity (e.g., nerve conduction)

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11
Q

Resulting Effects =

A

Enhanced tissue repair and wound healing

Reduced pain and inflammation

Improved cellular function (especially mitochondrial activity)

Modulation of immune and inflammatory responses

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12
Q

LASER =

A

Light
Amplification by
Stimulated
Emission of
Radiation

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13
Q

In physical therapy ____ conditions

A

wound healing & inflammatory neuroMSK

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14
Q

Low-level laser therapy: First cleared by FDA in ___ for ____

A

2002

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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15
Q

Laser in Physical Therapy:

A

Wound healing

Pain reduction

Inflammation control

Neuromusculoskeletal (neuroMSK) conditions

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16
Q

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) =

A

“Cold Laser”

Low-intensity, low-power, nonthermal or minimally thermal

Produces photobiostimulation (cellular changes without heat)

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17
Q

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

examples:

A

HeNe (Helium-Neon): 632.8 nm – visible red light

GaAs (Gallium Arsenide): 904 nm – infrared

GaAlAs (Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide): 830 nm – infrared

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18
Q

High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT)

A

Higher power output (>500 mW)

Adds thermal effects to enhance circulation and tissue extensibility

Still uses light-based biological stimulation

Classified as a Class 4 laser

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19
Q

LLLT vs HILT
intensity:

A

LLLT- Low (≤ 500 mW)

HILT - High (> 500 mW)

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20
Q

LLLT vs HILT
thermal:

A

LLLT- Non/minimally thermal

HILT - Thermal + nonthermal

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21
Q

LLLT vs HILT
depth:

A

LLLT- Shallow–moderate

HILT - Moderate–deep

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22
Q

LLLT vs HILT
uses:

A

LLLT- Pain, wound healing, inflammation

HILT - Deeper tissue pain, stiffness

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23
Q

LLLT vs HILT
class:

A

LLLT- 3b

HILT - 4

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24
Q

Laser Mechanism =

A
  1. Electrical Energy = Power source delivers current
  2. Applied to Laser Diode = Stimulates the lasing medium inside the diode
  3. Produce Light Energy = Photons are emitted → monochromatic light begins
  4. Amplification = Light is amplified and aligned (coherent & collimated)
  5. Application = Laser beam is directed onto biological tissue
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25
Electricity → ___ → ___→ ___
Light Amplified Beam Tissue Interaction
26
Laser Properties:
Coherence Monochromaticity
27
Coherence =
photons of light are synchronized
28
Temporal Coherence =
Photons are in phase with one another Produced by stimulated emission in the lasing medium Travel in a synchronized, wave-like pattern
29
Spatial Coherence =
Achieved via mirrors and lenses in the device Focuses the light → forms a single, narrow beam
30
Monochromaticity =
Laser emits a single wavelength (in nm) Can be in: Infrared (invisible) region Visible region (e.g., red)
31
GaAs 904-nm →
Invisible infrared
32
HeNe 632.8-nm →
Visible red light
33
Coherence requires ____ light
monochromatic Because for photons to be "in phase," their wavelength must be the same.
34
Collimation =
Due to monochromaticity and coherence, laser light is highly focused and travels as a narrow, beam-like column. This allows precise energy delivery to targeted tissues.
35
HeNe (Red Light): wavelength: penetration depth:
wavelength: 632.8 nm penetration depth: 2–3 mm (superficial absorption)
36
GaAlAs (Infrared) wavelength: penetration depth:
wavelength: 830 nm penetration depth: 2–4 cm (moderate depth)
37
Nd:YAG (High-Intensity Infrared) wavelength: penetration depth:
wavelength: 1,064 nm penetration depth: 4–7 cm (deepest penetration)
38
Darker skin absorbs more energy ____
superficially
39
Dark skin & light This can result in:
Heat accumulation Discomfort Risk of thermal tissue damage
40
___ wavelength = ___ penetration
higher deeper
41
Power Output =
Measured in: Watts (W) or Milliwatts (mW) = 1 mW = 0.001 W Represents energy released per second 1 W = 1 J/sec
42
Energy (Joules) Calculation =
Joules (J) = Power (W) × Time (sec) ➤ Example: 0.5 W × 30 sec = 15 J
43
Laser Energy Density =
Measured in J/cm² Depends on: Total joules delivered Surface area of probe tip Used to describe how much energy is delivered to each cm² of tissue
44
Common Dosage Approaches:
Total joules per treatment session Joules per treatment point Joules per cm² of body surface area
45
Tissue Absorption by Wavelength 700–1200 nm (Infrared)
→ Absorbed by mitochondrial cytochromes → Stimulates ATP production, tissue repair, and inflammation reduction
46
Tissue Absorption by Wavelength 400–700 nm (Visible Light, especially Red)
→ Absorbed by myoglobin and hemoglobin → Supports oxygen delivery, superficial healing, and circulation
47
Clinical Effects Infrared Lasers (700–1200 nm)
↓ Inflammation ↑ Tissue healing in deeper tissues Often used for MSK and neuro conditions
48
Clinical Effects Low-Level Laser (LLLT) & Infrared
↓ Pain via: Modulation of nerve conduction Increased endorphin release Reduced inflammatory mediators
49
Visible Light Range:
400–700 nm
50
Infrared Laser Range:
700–1200+ nm
51
HeNe Laser:
632.8 nm (visible red)
52
GaAlAs Laser:
~830 nm (infrared)
53
Class 1 =
≤ 0.5 mW Safe for continuous exposure under normal use
54
Class 2 =
≤ 1 mW Safe with visible light only; blink reflex protects eye
55
Class 3a =
1–5 mW Momentary viewing safe; often used in laser pointers
56
Class 3b =
5–500 mW Used in LLLT; hazardous to eye if viewed directly
57
Class 4 =
> 500 mW Used in HILT; can cause skin burns and permanent eye damage from direct or scattered exposure
58
LLLT =
Class 3b
59
HILT =
Class 4
60
Eye protection is mandatory for both clinician and patient with ___ lasers to prevent retinal injury.
Class 3b and 4
61
General Clinical Uses
Pain Inflammation Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions Chronic skin wounds
62
Specific Diagnoses Treated
Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome Painful spinal conditions TMJ dysfunction & pain Shoulder pain & dysfunction Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) Carpal tunnel syndrome Achilles tendinitis Degenerative joint disease (e.g., OA) Wound healing
63
LLLT vs. HILT
LLLT = nonthermal photostimulation (low power) HILT = adds thermal effects from high power → May enhance outcomes for pain, circulation, and tissue extensibility
64
Precautions – Laser Therapy
Impaired Sensation Indirect Eye Exposure Skin Color
65
Impaired Sensation =
High-intensity lasers (and SLED arrays) may produce heat that patients with reduced sensation cannot detect → risk of burns or tissue damage.
66
Indirect Eye Exposure =
Lasers can cause retinal damage, even with indirect exposure. → Eye protection is mandatory for both therapist and patient.
67
Skin Color =
Darker skin absorbs more laser energy superficially → ↑ heat production → risk of discomfort or skin damage. → Use lower dosages (<9 J/point) and monitor closely.
68
Contraindications – Laser Therapy
Direct eye exposure Pregnancy Active malignancy Active hemorrhage Open growth plates Endocrine system
69
Direct eye exposure =
Can cause retinal damage due to high-intensity light — eye protection is essential.
70
Pregnancy =
Avoid treatment to low back/abdomen/pelvis — effects on fetal development are unknown.
71
Active malignancy =
Light may stimulate cell growth/metabolism — could worsen tumor activity.
72
Active hemorrhage =
Laser may increase circulation, risking worsened bleeding.
73
Open growth plates =
May disrupt bone development in children by accelerating metabolism/circulation.
74
Endocrine system =
Avoid thyroid gland and anterior neck — may alter hormonal activity.
75
Evidence-Based Practice: Laser Therapy Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) ✅ Effective for:
Pain relief Disability reduction Tendinopathy (e.g., plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel) MSK disorders (e.g., fibromyalgia, lateral epicondylitis) Chronic conditions like RA and OA
76
Key Findings:
Pain and disability improved at end of treatment and up to 4–12 weeks later Recommended doses more effective than placebo Adding LLLT to exercise therapy is better than exercise alone No adverse events reported Following WALT dosage guidelines improves outcomes
77
High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) Shows greater efficacy than LLLT in reducing:
Knee pain Stiffness Improving function (e.g., in knee osteoarthritis)
78
LLLT population: effect:
Tendinopathy, MSK pain, RA, OA ✅ Pain/disability ↓; safe; works well with exercise
79
HILT population: effect:
KOA (knee OA), MSK pain 🔥 Greater pain/stiffness ↓ via thermal + photo effects
80
Clinical Procedure for Use of Laser Treatment
1. Select appropriate laser 2. Explain benefits & risks to the patient 3. Position patient and shield area from others 4. Expose skin at treatment site 5. Give protective eyewear to the patient 6. Inspect skin (wounds, lesions, and sensation) 7. Set device parameters (wavelength, power, time, mode) 8. Clinician wears eye protection 9. Position laser applicator 10. Activate device 11. Instruct patient to notify if treatment is uncomfortable
81
Position laser applicator:
Contact mode = direct to skin Sweep mode = hover just above skin HILT = may require spacer to prevent burns
82
Clinical Outcome Measures for Laser Effectiveness:
ROM (active/passive) Manual muscle testing Grip strength (dynamometry) Pain assessment (VAS, questionnaires) Pressure algometry Sensory testing Nerve conduction/evoked responses
83
Functional outcome measures:
Oswestry Waddell Disability Index FIM (Functional Independence Measure) SF-36 DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, or Hand)

Rehab Tech Final (8 decks)

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