Headache Medicine 2021, 12(1) p-ISSN 2178-7468, e-ISSN 2763-6178

ASAA

DOI: 10.48208/HeadacheMed.2021.9

Headache Medicine

Correspondence

Low-level laser therapy for migraine

Marcio Rafael de Araujo Siega Welber Sousa Oliveira

Modula Dor Clinic, Headache Outpatient Clinic, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of nociceptive, neuropathic, and musculoskeletal pain has

been studied. To investigate its effectiveness in migraine, we used Medical Subject Headings terms in

PubMed and found 5925 articles on LLLT since 1994. On using the term “pain,” we found 490 articles

since 2002. However, we only found one article using the terms “LTTT” and “migraine.” We greatly

appreciate the study by Loeb et al

, which was conducted in Brazil. It compared treatment using bo-

tulinum toxin A with LLLT in patients with chronic migraine (CM) and demonstrated that both treatments

are effective against CM. They followed the recommendations of the International Headache Society

for research on CM and compared LTTT to an approved migraine treatment.

Unlike other treatments and drugs proven to be effective against migraine, LTTT is non-invasive, safe,

and inexpensive. Additionally, it can be a component of the interdisciplinary treatment of CM. Allo-

dynia is very common in patients with CM and can be a therapeutic target.

This is because similar to

botulinum toxin, it reduces central sensitization by modulating nociceptive transmission.

We would like to highlight this article and draw attention to the lack of studies on the use of LLLT in

patients with migraine. While the evidence of its benet in acute and chronic neck pain exists

5,6

, future

studies should assess its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of migraine.

Author Contributions: MRAS - Preparation, writing, editing and supervision of the original, WSO -

Writing, editing and supervision of the original

Conflict of interest: None

Funding: No

Marcio Rafael de Araujo Siega

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5006-1643

References

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2018;76(10):663- 667 Doi:

10.1590/0004-282x20180109

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of neck pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo or activetreatment controlled

trials.

Lancet

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Headache

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marciosiega@gmail.com

Received: January 15, 2021

Accepted: March 30,2021

Keywords:

Migraine Disorders

Low-Level Light Therapy

Laser Therapy