Phototherapy on Management of Creatine Kinase Activity in General Versus Localized Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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#athletic-performance #biomarkers #creatine-kinase #exercise #humans

Phototherapy on Management of Creatine Kinase Activity in General Versus Localized Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Machado et al., 2020 | Clin J Sport Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Machado Aryane Flauzino, Micheletti Jéssica Kirsch, ... Pastre Carlos Marcelo. Phototherapy on Management of Creatine Kinase Activity in General Versus Localized Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin J Sport Med. 2020-May;30(3):267-274. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000606

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The main focus of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of phototherapy in the management of creatine kinase (CK) activity after exercise and furthermore to identify for which exercise model protocol phototherapy provides the best results. DESIGN: Meta-analysis comparing phototherapy with a control condition. SETTING: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, and CENTRAL databases were searched from their earliest records to October 03, 2016. Data were pooled in a meta-analysis and described as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random effects model. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy subjects (no restrictions were applied, eg, age, sex, and exercise level). INTERVENTION: Phototherapy (low-level laser therapy and/or light-emitting diode therapy) before or after exercise and a placebo or control condition. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Creatine kinase activity (no restriction to any analysis, eg, serum, plasma, or capillary blood). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included for review. The results revealed that phototherapy has a more positive effect than control condition in management of CK activity [SMD = 0.77, 95% CI (0.32 to 1.22); P = 0.0007; I = 72%]. In exploratory analysis, the results showed that phototherapy was effective only in the exercise protocol with localized exercise with large effect size [localized exercise: SMD = 0.89, 95% CI (0.26 to 1.51); P = 0.0002; I = 76%; general exercise: SMD = 0.61, 95% CI (-0.05 to 1.26); P = 0.07; I = 67%]. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggest that phototherapy has beneficial effects on the management of CK activity and demonstrate a possible relationship based on damage caused by exercise, providing a greater effect in studies that used localized exercise.

Key Findings

Fourteen studies were included for review. The results revealed that phototherapy has a more positive effect than control condition in management of CK activity [SMD = 0.77, 95% CI (0.32 to 1.22); P = 0.0007; I = 72%]. In exploratory analysis, the results showed that phototherapy was effective only in the exercise protocol with localized exercise with large effect size [localized exercise: SMD = 0.89, 95% CI (0.26 to 1.51); P = 0.0002; I = 76%; general exercise: SMD = 0.61, 95% CI (-0.05 to 1.26

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Athletic Performance
  • Biomarkers
  • Creatine Kinase
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Myalgia
  • Phototherapy
  • Recovery of Function

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09