Acute Effects of LLLT on Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance

Pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage." Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has gained attention as a safe, noninvasive intervention with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study examines whether a single session of LLLT can produce immediate changes in pain threshold and pain tolerance in healthy adults, compared to a sham laser control.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 35 years * Healthy individuals without chronic medical conditions * Free from chronic or acute pain * All genders * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Menstruation at the time of testing * Sensory deficits (failure to pass sharp-dull test) * Pregnancy * History of epilepsy * Presence of cardiovascular conditions (including pacemaker) * Acute hand injuries * Diagnosed neurological disorders * Use of analgesics or NSAIDs within the previous 48 hours * Contraindications to low-level laser therapy or electrical stimulation (e.g., light sensitivity, malignancy)