Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiopulmonory and Geriatrics Disorders

Background and purpose: congenital ventricular septal defects are among the most frequently reported congenital heart defects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low level LASER irradiation on induced ventricular septal defects. Subjects and Methodology: twenty male rabbits who underwent induction for ventricular septal defects by cardiac puncture technique with age ranged 6-10 months enrolled in this study for one and half months. They were assigned into two groups: Group (A): The study group consisted of 10 rabbits who received routine animal care associated with LASER irradiation. Group (B): The control group consisted of 10 rabbits who received only routine animal care. Size of the septal defects were measured for both groups at the beginning and after the end of the study. Results: There was significant decrease of size of the diameter of the induced ventricular septal defect with study group (percentage of improvement was 22.17%) when compared with control group. Conclusion: It was concluded that low level LASER therapy can be considered as a promising therapy for congenital heart defects in animals and to be examined on children with similar congenital lesions after then

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