Photobiomodulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether photobiomodulation therapy (low-level laser therapy) can reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The study will include adults aged 18-60 years diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does photobiomodulation therapy significantly reduce fatigue levels as measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20)? Does photobiomodulation therapy improve pain, functional capacity, sleep quality, and psychological well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome? Researchers will compare the low-level laser therapy group with a placebo (sham laser) group to determine whether photobiomodulation therapy leads to greater improvements in fatigue, pain, and overall quality of life. Participants will: Receive either active low-level laser therapy or placebo treatment three times per week for eight weeks Undergo assessments of fatigue, pain, functional capacity, quality of life, sleep quality, and psychological well-being at baseline and follow-up intervals (3, 6, and 12 months)

Interventions

• Photobiomodulation (Low-Level Laser Therapy) (Device)
  Low-level laser therapy will be delivered using a Class 3B laser device (808 nm wavelength, 100 mW power output). The laser will be applied in contact mode using a static technique perpendicular to the skin surface. Treatment will target bilateral muscle groups: upper trapezius, biceps brachii, posterior deltoid, lumbar paraspinals, gluteus maximus, and vastus lateralis. Each muscle will receive irradiation at 16 points spaced 1 cm apart, delivering 4 Joules per point (total 64 Joules per muscle). Sessions will be conducted three times per week for 8 weeks (total 24 sessions).
• sham Photobiomodulation (LLLT) (Device)
  Sham laser therapy will be administered using the same device without emission of therapeutic laser energy. The device will appear active and will be applied with identical procedures, duration, and frequency as the active treatment to ensure participant blinding.

Eligibility criteria

Conditions

Locations

• The larkana General hospital , larkana — Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan