Efficacy of Low-level Laser Therapy on Motor Recovery, Functional Independence and Quality of Life among Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Protocol for Randomised Controlled Tria

Introduction: A complete or incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) reduces a person’s Quality of Life (QoL) by producing persistent neurological deficiencies from the disruption of nerve impulses that result in the loss of motor and sensory function. For these people, functional recovery and QoL enhancement are the main goals of rehabilitation. Even with advancement in the treatment of spinal cord injuries, many people still struggle with motor function deficits and functional independence, which significantly lowers their QoL and limits their capacity for independent living. Need of the study: Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has numerous advantages, including preventing tissue and cell death, promoting injury healing and repair, reducing pain, oedema, and inflammation, promoting cell division and even apoptosis. LLLT has been shown to provide neuroprotection through a variety of outcomes, including cell regeneration, stimulation of Schwann cell growth, reduction of spasticity, improvement of function, reduction of nitric oxide levels and upregulation of the cytokine Interleukin 10 (IL-10) proving that LLLT provides neuroprotection. It is expected that LLLT will stimulate the cell growth while inhibiting the inflammation and other secondary changes after SCI. Aim: To analyse the efficacy of LLLT for motor recovery, functional independence and QoL among incomplete SCI patients. Materials and Methods: The present study will be a single blind, prospective, parallel group, randomised controlled trial recruiting 104 patients with incomplete SCI and will be allocated through block randomisation into two groups as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The duration of the study will be from 1st June 2023 to 28th February 2025. Control group will be treated with placebo LLLT and conventional therapy whereas experimental group will be treated with LLLT and conventional therapy for three times per week for four weeks. The performance of the participants will be assessed using amplitude-based lower extremity surface Electromyography (EMG) on lower extremity key muscles, Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS-ASIA), Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM-III), Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) at baseline and at the end of fourth week postintervention.