Research & Studies

Research & Clinical Literature

See the research
behind the technology.

Explore selected studies and case reports related to laser therapy, musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation. These summaries are provided for education and are not a promise of individual results.

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Evidence matters

Research can help explain why a treatment is considered.

Clinical studies can provide useful information about how a technology has been evaluated, what outcomes were measured and how patients in a particular study responded.

They cannot tell us exactly how any one patient will respond. That is why we use research as one piece of the clinical decision — alongside your history, examination findings, diagnosis and response to care.

Important context

The research below includes both controlled clinical research and case-study evidence. Study populations, treatment protocols and outcomes differ, so results should not be generalized to every patient or condition.

We link to the original PDFs so you can review the source material directly.

Research articles

Selected studies and case reports.

MLS Laser Therapy · Case Report

Effects of MLS Laser Therapy on Post-Traumatic Stiff Elbow

A 63-year-old patient recovering from fractures of the distal humerus and olecranon underwent a seven-day rehabilitation protocol that combined MLS Laser Therapy with kinesiotherapy.

This was a case-based rehabilitation report, so the findings describe one patient's response and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed result.

View the full study PDF ›

80° → 100° Reported elbow flexion

50° → 40° Reported contracture

5 cm → 3 cm Reported swelling

70 mm → 40 mm Reported VAS pain score

24 → 63 Reported Mayo Elbow Score

Low-Level Laser Therapy · Randomized Trial

Low-Level Laser Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis

In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 27 patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis received active low-level laser therapy or placebo treatment over four weeks.

The active-treatment group showed improvement in several reported measures, while the placebo group did not show comparable improvement in the reported outcomes.

View the full study PDF ›

5.75 → 1.18 Reported VAS pain score

105.8° → 122.9° Reported joint flexion

2.33 → 0.77 Reported pressure sensitivity

2 months Reported persistence of benefits after treatment

MLS Laser Therapy · Disc Herniation Case Study

Application of MLS Therapy on Disc Herniation With Radiculopathy

This case study followed a 17-year-old female with severe low-back pain and radiculopathy associated with an L4-L5 disc herniation who received MLS Laser Therapy over a seven-month period.

Because this was a single case report, it demonstrates one documented response rather than proving that the same outcome will occur in other patients.

View the full case study PDF ›

10/10 → 1/10 Reported VAS pain score

50% Reported pain reduction within the first four weeks

90 days Reported follow-up period after treatment

Return to activity Reported improvement in daily activity and range of motion

Research is a guide, not a guarantee

Good evidence helps inform care.
It does not replace the evaluation.

A study can show that a treatment produced certain outcomes in a particular group or case. Your diagnosis, severity, health history and treatment response still determine whether that technology makes sense for you.

How to interpret research

Three things to keep in mind.

Study design matters

Randomized controlled trials generally provide stronger evidence than individual case reports, although both can provide useful clinical information.

Different lasers are not identical

Wavelengths, power, treatment protocols and devices vary between studies. Research involving one system should not automatically be treated as proof for every laser device.

Individual results vary

The outcomes reported in a study describe the patients who participated in that research. They do not guarantee the same result for another patient.

Research meets clinical evaluation

Find out whether one of these
treatments fits your case.

Start with a one-on-one consultation and examination with Dr. Dalfino at Connecticut Disc & Laser Therapy Centers in Shelton.

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Consultation · Examination · Report of Findings · First Treatment

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See the research behind the technology.