Effects of laser acupuncture on delayed onset muscle soreness of the biceps brachii muscle: a randomized controlled trial

Objectives.Te aim of this study was to explore the efects of laser acupuncture on improvement of recovery and muscle performance in delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) when applied before exercise. Methods. Tis randomized, blinded, and controlled study included healthy participants (n = 40) who were randomized into laser acupuncture and placebo groups. Laser acupuncture was applied to the Tianquan (PC2) and Chihtseh acupoints (LU5) at a dose of 36 J and energy density of 9.7 J/cm2 before inducing DOMS. Te placebo group received sham laser acupuncture with no laser output. Visual analog scale (VAS), proprioception, pressure pain threshold (PPT), arm circumference, and muscle strength were observed at the baseline and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h afer induction of DOMS. Results. Signifcant changes in the VAS (F4, 43.96 = 31.47; p = 0.001), PPT (F4, 1.35 = 35.07; p = 0.001), normalized arm circumference (F4, 0.001 = 3.87; p = 0.005), and normalized muscle strength (F4, 0.31 = 24.99; p = 0.001) were observed within the groups over time (p < 0.05), but there were no signifcant diferences between the two groups (p >0.05). Normalized arm circumference was signifcantly diferent between the two groups at 48 and 72 h afer induction of DOMS (p< 0.05). Conclusion. Photobiomodulation therapy on Tianquan (PC2) and Chihtseh acupoints (LU5) before the exercise did not signifcantly decrease DOMS and increase muscle performance. Laser acupuncture as a supplemental therapy seemed to have no efect on DOMS prevention.