Background
Fatigue and cognitive dysfunctions in multiple sclerosis (MS) are well-established complications that considerably impact patients’ independence, yet lack proper medical management.
Purpose
To test the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and broadband ultraviolet B-radiation (BB-UVBR) combination on modulating fatigue and cognitive functions for patients with MS.
Patients and methods
Pretest–post-test nonrandomized clinical trial study. Forty participants were included, nevertheless, 32 completed the study, age 20–45 years old with definite relapsing–remitting MS on monthly cortisone therapy. Then, they were assigned into two groups, control group (=14) received pulsed LLLT, and study group (=18) received the same LLLT program in addition to BB-UVBR for 12 sessions. Primary measures were fatigue, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and cognition, a computerized reactive stress tolerance, and percentile ratio for correct answers (PRC). Besides, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) as a secondary measure.
Results
The two groups were comparable at baseline in FSS, PRC, and EDSS (≥0.05). Patients on LLLT group showed post-test highly significant improvement of PRC, FSS (<0.001), and EDSS (=0.023). Similarly, UVBR and LLLT group showed highly significant improvements of PRC, FSS, and EDSS (<0.001). However, no significant differences (≥0.05) of PRC, FSS, or EDSS were found between the two groups posttreatment.
Conclusion
The study suggests that there was no added value of UVBR to LLLT. That LLLT program alone has a potent beneficial short-term effect, on modulating fatigue, cognitive functions, and disability status for patients with relapsing–remitting MS.