Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared with other conventional therapies on wound healing and pain reduction in patients with median sternotomy: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy, used alone or in combination with conventional therapies, on wound healing and pain reduction in patients with median sternotomy. INTRODUCTION In the previous two decades, the incidence of postsurgical complications following median sternotomy has remained reasonably unchanged. Owing to the shortcomings of conventional therapies in wound healing, alternative solutions are sought. Photobiomodulation with low-level laser therapy has become a preferred therapy for augmenting tissue repair and stimulating immediate analgesia by releasing local neurotransmitters and endorphins, or through anti-inflammatory effects. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review will include only randomized controlled trials that studied the effects of low-level laser therapy used as a monotherapy or in combination with other conventional therapies in promoting wound healing and reducing pain in adult patients with median sternotomy. Comparators may include other forms of photobiomodulation therapy/phototherapy, other conventional therapies, control, or placebo/sham interventions. METHODS Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL, AMED, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Scopus will be searched from database inception to the present date. Two reviewers will independently screen, extract data, and examine methodological quality of the eligible studies using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for randomized controlled trials. A meta-analysis will be done if adequate data with homogeneous population, interventions, and outcomes are available. The overall level of evidence will be synthesized using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO CRD42020203011.