An Immediate Effect of High-Power Laser Treatment versus Exercise Treatment in Patients with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Lapassakan Pitiruangsit, PT, MSc¹ ORCID , Winyoo Tongtippayanate, MD² ORCID , Songthai Moonwong, MD² ORCID , Pakpoom Philuek, MSc³ ORCID , Kittisak Sawanyawisuth, MD, PhD⁴ ORCID , Austtasit Chainarong, PhD⁵ ORCID

Affiliation : ¹ Department of Physical Therapy, Buriram Hospital, Buriram, Thailand; ² Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Buriram Hospital, Buriram, Thailand; ³ Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand; ⁴ Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; ⁵ Faculty of Sport Science, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand

Abstract / Graphical Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the immediate effect of high-power laser treatment in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.
Materials and Methods: This was an intervention study comparing an exercise program and high-power laser treatment. The inclusion criteria were adult patients aged 18 years or older who received ACL reconstruction surgery, had an indication for physical therapy, and agreed to participate in the study. Eligible patients were randomly assigned into two groups. Each treatment was performed for nine minutes. The outcomes of this study comprised pain intensity score, range of motion measurements, and manual muscle strength. These outcomes were evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. Differences in outcomes from baseline were also calculated.
Results: There were 56 eligible patients. Of those, 30 patients (53.57%) received high-power laser treatment. Regarding the outcomes, there was one significant outcome between the two groups: difference in pain during knee flexion from baseline. The laser treatment group had a significantly higher difference of pain from baseline compared with the exercise group (–1.50 vs. –0.76, p<0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of pain intensity score, range of motion measurements, and manual muscle strength.
Conclusion: High-power laser treatment may lower pain intensity while in the knee flexion position immediately after ACL reconstruction surgery.

Received 1 March 2026 | Revised 10 June 2026 | Accepted 15 June 2026
J Med Assoc Thai 2026;109(11):889-93
DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2026.11.04409

Keywords : Pain intensity score; Pain; Range of motion; Muscle strength; Exercise; Physical therapy; Laser; High-power laser therapy; ACL reconstruction


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