The impact of photobiomodulation on sleep and life quality in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

The quality of life (QoL) and sleep quality are closely linked to the physical and psychological health of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, especially those underwent hemodialysis (HD) therapy. This study aims to investigate the impact of 830 nm laser treatment on improving QoL and sleep quality in HD patients. Forty ESRD patients participated in this study. 830 nm laser was used to radiate on the palm (at dose of 256.10 J/cm2), ST 36 and KI 1 acupoints (at dose of 109.76 J/cm2) of HD patients, and QoL and sleep quality questionnaires were utilized to assess changes following the treatment. After 830 nm laser radiation, lower global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Athens Insomnia Scale scores were observed, accompanied by higher physical and mental component summary scores in MOS 36-item short-form health survey version 2 and a global World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version score. The laser group also showed significant improvements in QoL and sleep quality indicators. Additionally, pain levels decreased on the third day and after one month according to visual analogue scale. This study revealed the positive effects of 830 nm laser on palm, KI 1 and ST 36 acupoints for improving the QoL and sleep quality in ESRD patients underwent HD treatment. The results suggest that 830 nm laser applied to specific targets could be used as a complementary and alternative approach to increase the QoL and sleep quality in ESRD patients.

The effect of bone remodeling with photobiomodulation in dentistry: a review study.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been emerging as a promising alternative therapy in dentistry. However, various parameters of PBM are used in different studies, and there is limited cumulative data on PBM for improving bone formation in clinical trials. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of PBM in the process of bone remodeling in dentistry using randomized controlled trials. Initially, a total of 1,011 articles published from January 2008 to December 2021 were retrieved from five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL). After a two-step review, nine articles met the inclusion criteria. The parameter of PBM, group, treatment sessions, assessment times and outcomes of the included studies were reviewed. Eighty-nine percent of the studies revealed positive effects on bone formation between the laser group and the control group. Only one article reported that light-emitting diode did not significantly enhance osteogenesis. Additionally, the present study shows that Gallium aluminum arsenide of near infrared (NIR) laser with continuous mode is the most commonly used form of PBM. The biostimulatory effects are dependent on several parameters, with wavelength and dose being more important than others. Based on this review, it is suggested that the NIR range and an appropriate dose of PBM could be used to increase the efficiency of stimulating bone healing and remodeling. However, standardization of treatment protocols is needed to clarify therapeutic strategies in dentistry.

Management of Combined Therapy (Ceritinib, A. cinnamomea, G. lucidum, and Photobiomodulation) in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report.

The 5-year survival rate of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still low (<21%) despite recent improvements. Since conventional therapies have a lot of side effects, combined therapy is strongly recommended. Here, we report a patient with advanced NSCLC who received combined therapy, including ceritinib, photobiomodulation (PBM), ACGL (Antrodia cinnamomea (A. cinnamomea), and Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum)). Based on combined therapy, suitable doses of A. cinnamomea, G. lucidum, and PBM are important for tumor inhibition. This case report presents clinical evidence on the efficacy of combined therapy in advanced NSCLC patients, including computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and blood tests. The effective inhibition of human lung adenocarcinoma cells is demonstrated. Our case highlights important considerations for PBM and ACGL applications in NSCLC patients, the side effects of ceritinib, and long-term health maintenance.

Laser acupuncture-induced analgesic effect and molecular alterations in an incision pain model: a comparison with electroacupuncture-induced effects.

Low-level laser acupuncture (LLLA) produces photobiomodulation through acupuncture point and is an alternative to low-level laser therapy. Although the analgesic effect of LLLA on chronic pain has been proven, its effect on acute postincisional pain has yet to be investigated. A plantar incision (PI) model was used to mimic human postsurgical pain. Male adult rats received GaAlAs laser irradiation at the right ST36 acupoint immediately after operation and on the following 4 days. Three laser treatment groups (two red laser groups with a 30- or 15-min treatment duration and one 30-min near-infrared laser group) were compared with sham LLLA and naive groups and an electroacupuncture (EA) group (separate study). Behavioral withdrawal thresholds of both hind paws were measured before and after incision. Expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-ERK and p-p38), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the spinal cord was analyzed. All three LLLA treatments attenuated post-PI tactile allodynia in the ipsilateral paw, but only the 30-min red laser treatment affected the contralateral paw and had similar efficacy to that of EA. All laser treatments barely reduced heat hyperalgesia in both hind paws. At 3 days after PI, the 30-min red laser group showed reversed increases of PI-induced p-ERK, p-p38, and iNOS but not TNF expression in the spinal cord. Repetitive LLLA treatments ameliorated PI-induced mechanical pain. The inhibition of multiple sensitization signals highlights the unique clinical role of LLLA. Thus, LLLA is an alternative to EA as an adjuvant for postoperative pain control.

Therapeutic outcomes of low-level laser therapy for closed bone fracture in the human wrist and hand.

OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic outcomes of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on closed bone fractures (CBFs) in the wrist and hand were investigated in this controlled study. BACKGROUND DATA: Animal research has confirmed that LLLT increases osteocyte quantity; however, little research has been conducted to determine the effect of LLLT on the treatment of human bone fractures. METHODS: In this study, the therapeutic outcomes of administering 830 nm LLLT to treat CBFs in the wrist or hand were examined. Fifty patients with CBFs in the wrist and hand, who had not received surgical treatment, were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. The laser group underwent a treatment program in which 830 nm LLLT (average power 60 mW, peak power 8 W, 10 Hz, 600 sec, and 9.7 J/cm(2) per fracture site) was administered five times per week for 2 weeks. Participants in a placebo group received sham laser treatment. The pain, functional disability, grip strength, and radiographic parameters of the participants were evaluated before and after treatment and at a 2-week follow-up. RESULTS: After treatment and at the follow-up, the laser group exhibited significant changes in all of the parameters compared with the baseline (p<0.05). The results of comparing the two groups after treatment and at the follow-up indicated significant between-group differences among all of the parameters (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LLLT can relieve pain and improve the healing process of CBFs in the human wrist and hand.

Therapeutic effects of low-level laser on lateral epicondylitis from differential interventions of Chinese-Western medicine: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a conservative treatment for lateral epicondylitis (LE), but it is also an alternative intervention between the very different approaches of Chinese and Western medicine. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the therapeutic effects of LLLT on LE. METHODS: We searched several electronic databases, including Medline, PubMed, and CINAHL, and explored studies that were randomized controlled trials on the therapeutic effects of LLLT on LE from 1990 to February 2009. These studies were systematically reviewed for the difference in therapeutic effects among various LLLTs on acupuncture points and on tender and myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). The reviewed therapeutic effects included pain, grip strength, range of motion (ROM), and weight tests, and were compared by meta-analysis. RESULTS: We selected ten articles, and in seven of them the irradiation was conducted on tender points or MTrPs in the experimental groups. In two other articles, the irradiation was conducted on acupuncture points, and the last one was conducted on both kinds of points. Only three articles provided sufficient data for meta-analysis. The results revealed that applying LLLT on tender points or MTrPs is an effective means to improve the effect size (ES) of pain release after treatment (pooled ES: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.82- approximately 0.60) and follow-up (pooled ES: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.16- approximately 0.94). LLLT application was also able to increase the grip force, ROM, and weight test (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that using LLLT on tender points or MTrPs of LE could effectively improve therapeutic effects.

Study of autonomic nervous activity of night shift workers treated with laser acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of laser acupuncture on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of the night shift worker. BACKGROUND DATA: Many articles have demonstrated that levels of affective disorders and stress are high in night shift workers. We applied laser energy to the Neiguan point (PC6) to examine the impact of laser acupuncture on the ANS of 45 healthy young males who were night shift workers and evaluated their heart-rate variability (HRV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The laser group (n = 15) received laser acupuncture (9.7 J/cm(2), 830 nm) for 10 min, and the placebo group (n = 15) received sham laser treatment. The effects before and after this intervention on the HRV of the subjects were assessed, along with those seen after 30 min of lying down. RESULTS: After treatment and after the 30-min rest period, the independent-sample t-test showed that both groups exhibited statistically significant differences in high-frequency (HF) HRV, low-frequency (LF) HRV, and the LF:HF ratio of HRV (p < 0.05). Compared with the placebo group, the paired-samples t-test showed that after laser treatment the treatment group had a statistically significant improvement in HF HRV (p = 0.001), LF HRV (p = 0.001), and the LF:HF HRV ratio (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Laser acupuncture stimulation applied to the Neiguan point increased vagal activity and suppression of cardiac sympathetic nerves. This effect was positive and could be used to help patients who have circadian rhythm disorders.

Carpal tunnel syndrome treated with a diode laser: a controlled treatment of the transverse carpal ligament.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this placebo-controlled study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of the 830-nm diode laser on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). BACKGROUND DATA: Many articles in the literature have demonstrated that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may help to alleviate various types of nerve pain, especially for CTS treatment. We placed an 830-nm laser directly above the transverse carpal ligament, which is between the pisiform and navicular bones of the tested patients, to determine the therapeutic effect of LLLT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with mild to moderate degree of CTS were randomly divided into two groups. The laser group received laser treatment (10 Hz, 50% duty cycle, 60 mW, 9.7 J/cm(2), at 830 nm), and the placebo group received sham laser treatment. Both groups received treatment for 2 wk consisting of a 10-min laser irradiation session each day, 5 d a week. The therapeutic effects were assessed on symptoms and functional changes, and with nerve conduction studies (NCS), grip strength assessment, and with a visual analogue scale (VAS), soon after treatment and at 2-wk follow-up. RESULTS: Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups for all assessments (p > 0.05). The VAS scores were significantly lower in the laser group than the placebo group after treatment and at follow-up (p < 0.05). After 2 wk of treatment, no significant differences were found in grip strengths or for symptoms and functional assessments (p > 0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in these variables at 2-wk follow-up (p < 0.05). Regarding the findings of NCS, there was no statistically significant difference between groups after treatment and at 2-wk follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: LLLT was effective in alleviating pain and symptoms, and in improving functional ability and finger and hand strength for mild and moderate CTS patients with no side effects.