Riassunto dello studio

Twenty-four male amateur athletes with a hamstring strain injury (HSI) were randomized to receive exercise-based rehabilitation program combined with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or exercise-based rehabilitation program alone with sham laser therapy. The primary outcome of interest was time-to-return to sport. Secondary outcomes of interest included the number of rehabilitation sessions, hamstring flexibility, hamstring strength, and re-injury rate. All outcomes were measured at 6 months follow-up. Results revealed similar time to return to sport between the two groups (23.09 ± 9.08 days vs 23.82 ± 12.62 days; p=0.88). All other outcomes were not statistically significantly different including flexibility outcomes (straight leg raise (SLR), knee extension test (KET), maximal hip flexion active knee extension (MHFAKE)) and strength outcomes (inner range, mid-range, and outer-range) (p>0.05 for all). That being said, all outcomes demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in scores at 6 months follow-up compared to the baseline.