Use of Laser Acupuncture in Chronic Tensional Headache: Randomized Clinical Trial

Since tension headache, besides being highly prevalent, has a deleterious effect on daily activities, the search for therapeutic resources is interesting. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of laser acupuncture in individuals with chronic tensional headache. The sample consisted of 14 volunteers with chronic tensional headache, separated into a control group (placebo) and an intervention group (laser acupuncture, 660nm, 10 J/cm²), in both groups the pen was positioned for 20 seconds in each of the six acupuncture points. There were three therapies on alternate days, and at the end there was previous evaluation by both the Visual Analog Pain Scale and the Headache Impact Test questionnaire. In both forms of evaluation there were significant differences in the comparison between evaluations, with reduction of values (p<0.001), but without differences between groups or interaction (p>0.05). It was concluded that the acupuncture laser showed no greater effectiveness than the placebo. (AU)