Response of Aerobic Capacity to Low Level Laser Therapy in Burned Patients

Low level laser therapy was applied immediately before each aerobic exercise training session by using a multidiode cluster (with four diode spots; Polaris2, manufactured by Astar ABR, Poland) )on 12 sites on the lower limb (6 on quadriceps ( 2 centrally on rectus femoris and vastus intermedius,2 laterally on vastus lateralis, and two medially on vastus medialis), 4 on hamstrings and 2 on gastrocnemius) with the following parameters: 808 nm, continous output, 200 mW each diode (total of 800 mW) power output, 24 J energy on each site (6 J for each spot) , 40 seconds at each site (8 minutes of total treatment time in lower limb) and 288 J total energy delivered per lower limb, 48 irradiation points per lower limb ,3 sessions weekly for 12 weeks.

Aerobic exercise program consisted of walking on the treadmill at a rate of 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting for 40 minutes in the form of warming up for 5 minutes at intensity of \<50% of the previously determined VO2max of each participant, 30 minutes of treadmill exercises at intensity of (70-85%) of the previously determined VO2max of each participant then 5 minutes cooling down at intensity of\<50% of the previously determined VO2max of each participant.

Patients were received traditional physical therapy program in the form of (stretching and strengthening exercises for all affected areas, diaphragmatic breathing exercises and activities of daily living).