Laser Diode - GaAlAs Acupuncture in the Treatment of Central Obesity: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: : Obesity is a global health challenge. Traditional approaches, including increased physical activity, dietary interventions, and medical therapy, often yield limited success, propelling some patients toward costly and invasive procedures like bariatric surgery. Laser acupuncture has been suggested as a complementary therapeutic approach to overcome this challenge. The present study investigated the effectiveness of laser acupuncture treatment in weight loss and abdominal subcutaneous fat reduction. Methods: : A randomized, blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted, with 30 subjects each in the intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent 12 sessions of laser acupuncture treatment within a month (three sessions/week), whereas those in the control group received sham laser treatment on identical acupoints. The patients were instructed not to alter their physical activity levels or dietary regimens. All parameters were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results: : Significant reductions in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were noted in both intervention and control groups. Further analysis revealed a more significant decrease in the laser acupuncture group. Abdominal sonography revealed a marked decrease in periumbilical fat thickness in the intervention group. Conversely, laboratory evaluations showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: : Laser acupuncture is an effective method for weight loss in patients with periumbilical abdominal fat. The observed impact on subcutaneous fat suggests its potential as a non-invasive intervention for individuals seeking weight management alternatives. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of laser acupuncture in adipose tissue modulation.

A 57-Year-Old African American Man with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Who Responded to Supportive Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT): First Use of PBMT in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with lung inflammation and cytokine storm. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a safe, non-invasive therapy with significant anti-inflammatory effects. Adjunct PBMT has been employed in treating patients with lung conditions. Human studies and experimental models of respiratory disease suggest PBMT reduces inflammation and promotes lung healing. This is the first time supportive PBMT was used in a severe case of COVID-19 pneumonia. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old African American man with severe COVID-19 received 4 once-daily PBMT sessions by a laser scanner with pulsed 808 nm and super-pulsed 905 nm modes for 28 min. The patient was evaluated before and after treatment via radiological assessment of lung edema (RALE) by CXR, pulmonary severity indices, blood tests, oxygen requirements, and patient questionnaires. Oxygen saturation (SpO2) increased from 93-94% to 97-100%, while the oxygen requirement decreased from 2-4 L/min to 1 L/min. The RALE score improved from 8 to 5. The Pneumonia Severity Index improved from Class V (142) to Class II (67). Additional pulmonary indices (Brescia-COVID and SMART-COP) both decreased from 4 to 0. CRP normalized from 15.1 to 1.23. The patient reported substantial improvement in the Community-Acquired Pneumonia assessment tool. CONCLUSIONS This report has presented supportive PBMT in a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Respiratory indices, radiological findings, oxygen requirements, and patient outcomes improved over several days and without need for a ventilator. Future controlled clinical trials are required to evaluate the effects of PBMT on clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on the healing process of donor site in patients with grade 3 burn ulcer after skin graft surgery (a randomized clinical trial).

Skin graft is a standard therapeutic technique in patients with deep ulcers, but managing donor site after grafting is very important. Although several modern dressings are available to enhance the comfort of donor site, using techniques that accelerate wound healing may enhance patient satisfaction. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in several medical fields, including healing of diabetic, surgical, and pressure ulcers, but there is not any report of using this method for healing of donor site in burn patients. The protocols and informed consent were reviewed according to Medical Ethics Board of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.REC.1394.363) and Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2016020226069N2). Eighteen donor sites in 11 patients with grade 3 burn ulcer were selected. Donor areas were divided into 2 parts, for laser irradiation and control randomly. Laser area was irradiated by a red, 655-nm laser light, 150 mW, 2 J/cm2, on days 0 (immediately after surgery), 3, 5, and 7. Dressing and other therapeutic care for both sites were the same. The patients and the person who analyzed the results were blinded. The size of donor site reduced in both groups during the 7-day study period (P < 0.01) and this reduction was significantly greater in the laser group (P = 0.01). In the present study, for the first time, we evaluate the effects of LLLT on the healing process of donor site in burn patients. The results showed that local irradiation of red laser accelerates wound healing process significantly.

Effects of low level laser therapy on the prognosis of split-thickness skin graft in type 3 burn of diabetic patients: a case series.

Significant populations in burn centers are diabetic burn patients. Healing process in these patients is more difficult due to diabetes complications. The gold standard treatment for patients with grade 3 burn ulcer is split-thickness skin grafting (STSG), but in the diabetic patients, the rate of graft failure and amputation is high due to impaired tissue perfusion. The technique of low level laser therapy (LLLT) improves tissue perfusion and fibroblast proliferation, increases collagen synthesis, and accelerates wound healing. The purpose of this case report is introducing a new therapeutic method for accelerating healing with better prognosis in these patients. The protocols and informed consent were reviewed according to the Medical Ethics, Board of Shahid Beheshti Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.RAM.REC.13940.363). Diabetic type 2 patients with 13 grade 3 burn ulcers, candidate for amputation, were enrolled in the study. We used a 650-nm red laser light, 2 J/Cm for the bed of the ulcer and an 810-nm infrared laser light 6 J/Cm(2) for the margins along with intravenous laser therapy with a 660-nm red light, before and after STSG for treating grade 3 burn ulcers in 13 diabetic ulcers. The results of this study showed complete healing in the last 8 weeks for all patients who were candidates for amputation. In this case series, we present 13 cases of diabetic ulcer with type 3 burn wound, candidate for amputation, who healed completely using LLLT and STSG. This is the first time that these two techniques are combined for treatment of burn ulcer in diabetic patients. Using LLLT with STSG might be a promising treatment for burn victims especially diabetic patients.

Does low-level laser therapy enhance the efficacy of intravenous regional anesthesia?

BACKGROUND: The use of intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is limited by pain resulting from the application of tourniquets and postoperative pain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of low-level laser therapy added to IVRA for improving pain related to surgical fixation of distal radius fractures. METHODS: The present double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial involved 48 patients who were undergoing surgical fixation of distal radius fractures. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=24), who received 808 nm laser irradiation as 4 J/point for 20 s over ipsilateral three nerve roots in the cervical region corresponding to C5-C8 vertebrae, and 808 nm laser irradiation as 0.1 J/cm2 for 5 min in a tangential scanning mode over the affected extremity; or a control group (n=24), who underwent the same protocol and timing of laser probe application with the laser switched off. Both groups received the same IVRA protocol using 2% lidocaine. RESULTS: The mean visual analogue scale scores were significantly lower in the laser-assisted group than in the lidocaine-only group on all measurements during and after operation (P<0.05). The mean time to the first need for fentanyl administration during the operation was longer in the laser group (P=0.04). The total amount of fentanyl administered to patients was significantly lower in the laser-assisted group (P=0.003). The laser group needed significantly less pethidine for pain relief (P=0.001) and at a later time (P=0.002) compared with the lidocaine-only group. There was no difference between the groups in terms of mean arterial pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSION: The addition of gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser irradiation to intravenous regional anesthesia is safe, and reduces pain during and after the operation.

Successful white hair removal with combined coloring and intense pulsed Light (IPL): a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to introduce adjunct therapy to intense pulsed light (IPL) and to assess it in terms of safety, expense, feasibility, and efficacy. BACKGROUND DATA: Currently there is no satisfactory, efficient method for long-term white hair removal. METHODS: We conducted a randomized clinical trial of hirsute patients with excessive white hair on the chin and cheeks. In addition to IPL, the patients were randomly assigned to have their white hair colored with either black eyeliner or black hair dye as an adjunct to IPL aided for of six sessions (with a 4-week interval between sessions). The primary efficacy outcome, which was defined as the outcome after six sessions of therapy, was scored as poor (<30%), fair (30?60%) or good (>60%) response to white hair removal in predefined areas. The secondary outcome was recurrence 6 months after the final therapy session. RESULTS: In the eyeliner group (n=31), 15 (48.4%) individuals showed a fair response, and 16 (51.6%) individuals showed a good response. In the color-dye group (n=31), 1 (3.2%), 17 (54.8%) and 13 (41.9%) participants scored poor, fair, and good, respectively. There were no differences in clinician judgment of the treatment success between the eyeliner and color-dye groups after the six therapy sessions (p=0.895). Thirty-one patients had 6 months of visits (11 in the hair dye and 20 in the eyeliner group). Three participants in the color-dye group and five participants in the eyeliner group failed to show improvement 6 months after the laser surgery. There was no distinguishable pattern of failure between the two study groups (p=1). CONCLUSION: This study supports that hair coloring is an efficient and feasible technique that can be combined with IPL to eliminate white facial hair.

The application of low-level laser therapy after cesarean section does not compromise blood prolactin levels and lactation status.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the systemic effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on blood prolactin levels and lactation status when it is used to hasten surgical wound healing in women having undergone a cesarean section. BACKGROUND DATA: LLLT has been used in parturient patients for postpartum mastitis and nipple soreness. However, previous studies have revealed hormonal and physiological effects of LLLT on the lactation status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy women scheduled for cesarean section were randomly divided into two groups: an LLLT group and a control group. LLLT was delivered as follows: (1) irradiation with 980 nm (100 mW, 3.3 J/cm(2), total energy 60 J), and 650 nm (30 mW, 1.5 J/cm(2), total energy 27 J) to the incision line, and (2) intravenous laser irradiation at 2.5 mW and 650 nm for 15 min on three consecutive postoperative days. Except for LLLT, all the therapeutic conditions in both groups were identical. Blood prolactin levels were measured in the groups on the third postoperative day, and tissue samples were taken from the wound margins for histological evaluation on the 10th postoperative day. RESULTS: Although there was a difference between blood prolactin levels in the two groups, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.205). However, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean lymphocyte counts and number of vessel lumina, with higher numbers seen in the LLLT group. CONCLUSION: LLLT after cesarean section has no serious deleterious effects on lactation, and it helps to modulate metabolic processes and thus promotes wound healing post-surgery.