Enhancing Well-Being: A Comparative Study of Virtual Reality Chromotherapy Rooms with Static, Dynamic, and Empty Environments.

Chromotherapy rooms (CRs) are physical spaces with colored lights able to enhance an individual's mood, well-being, and, in the long term, their health. Virtual reality technology can be used to implement CR (VRCRs) and provide higher flexibility at lower costs. However, existing VRCRs are limited to a few use cases, and they do not fully explore the potential and pitfalls of the technology. This work contributes by comparing three VRCR designs: empty, static, and dynamic. Empty is just a void but a blue-colored environment. Static adds static abstract graphics (flowers and sea texture), and dynamic adds dynamic elements (animated star particle systems, fractals, and ocean flow). All conditions include relaxing low-beta and ocean sounds. We conducted a between-subject experiment (n = 30) with the three conditions. Subjects compiled a self-perceived questionnaire and a mathematical stress test before and after the VRCR experience. The results demonstrated that the dynamic condition provided a higher sense of presence, while the self-perceived stress level was insignificant. Dynamic VR conditions are perceived as having a shorter duration, and participants declared that they felt more involved and engaged than in the other conditions. Overall, the study demonstrated that VRCRs have a non-trivial behavior and need further study of their design, especially considering their role in a future where VR will be an everyday working interface.

Utilizing EEG and fNIRS for the detection of sleep-deprivation-induced fatigue and its inhibition using colored light stimulation.

Drowsy driving is a common, but underestimated phenomenon in terms of associated risks as it often results in crashes causing fatalities and serious injuries. It is a challenging task to alert or reduce the driver's drowsy state using non-invasive techniques. In this study, a drowsiness reduction strategy has been developed and analyzed using exposure to different light colors and recording the corresponding electrical and biological brain activities. 31 subjects were examined by dividing them into 2 classes, a control group, and a healthy group. Fourteen EEG and 42 fNIRS channels were used to gather neurological data from two brain regions (prefrontal and visual cortices). Experiments shining 3 different colored lights have been carried out on them at certain times when there is a high probability to get drowsy. The results of this study show that there is a significant increase in HbO of a sleep-deprived participant when he is exposed to blue light. Similarly, the beta band of EEG also showed an increased response. However, the study found that there is no considerable increase in HbO and beta band power in the case of red and green light exposures. In addition to that, values of other physiological signals acquired such as heart rate, eye blinking, and self-reported Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores validated the findings predicted by the electrical and biological signals. The statistical significance of the signals achieved has been tested using repeated measures ANOVA and t-tests. Correlation scores were also calculated to find the association between the changes in the data signals with the corresponding changes in the alertness level.

Sistema de avaliação de práticas psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP) sobre políticas de cuidado / Aluízio Lopes de Brito psychological practices assessment system (SAPP) on care policies / Sistema de evaluación de prácticas psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP) sobre políticas de cuidado

O objetivo do presente manuscrito é caracterizar e descrever os fluxos do Sistema de Avaliação de Práticas Psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP), dispositivo instituído no âmbito do Sistema Conselhos de Psicologia e regulamentado pelo Conselho Federal de Psicologia através da Resolução CFP nº 15, de 18 de agosto de 2023. O SAPP surge da necessidade premente de orientação e qualificação profissionais frente às práticas emergentes que produzem o saber/ fazer da psicologia. Nesse sentido, trata-se de processo que busca orientar, qualificar e fazer conhecer práticas que sejam compatíveis ou não com o exercício profissional em psicologia. Com o trabalho realizado no SAPP serão produzidos pareceres que contribuirão minimamente para o conhecimento das fronteiras que delimitam os campos da psicologia e, por excelência, conheceremos melhor nossas próprias formas de atuação. Através da consideração do trinômio teoria-prática-ética, o CFP espera com o SAPP abrir diálogos com grupos, práticas e saberes fronteiriços e constantemente relegados pela psicologia hegemônica. Para tanto, parte do pressuposto de que os saberes e fazeres destas populações podem refinar as teorias psicológicas e fazer a psicologia avançar como ciência e profissão.(AU)

This manuscript aims to characterize and describe the flows of the Aluízio Lopes de Brito Psychological Practices Assessment System (SAPP), an instrument established within the framework of the Psychology Council System and regulated by the Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) with Resolution CFP No. 15, of August 18, 2023. The SAPP arises from the pressing need for professional guidance and qualification in the face of emerging practices that shape the knowledge/practice of psychology. In this sense, it is a process that seeks to guide, qualify, and make known practices that are compatible or not with the professional practice of psychology. The work carried out in the SAPP will produce opinions that will contribute minimally to the understanding of the boundaries that delimit the fields of psychology and, by excellence, we will better understand our own modes of operation. Considering the trinity of theory-practice-ethics, the CFP hopes with the SAPP to open dialogues with groups, practices, and knowledge that are in the borders and are constantly relegated by hegemonic psychology. To this end, it assumes that the knowledge and practices of these populations can refine psychological theories and advance psychology as a science and profession.(AU)

El objetivo de este manuscrito es caracterizar y describir los flujos del Sistema de Evaluación de Prácticas Psicológicas Aluízio Lopes de Brito (SAPP), un dispositivo establecido en el marco del Sistema de Consejos de Psicología y regulado por el Consejo Federal de Psicología a través de la Resolución CFP n.º 15, con fecha del 18 de agosto de 2023. El SAPP surge de la necesidad apremiante de orientación y calificación profesional frente a las prácticas emergentes que configuran el conocimiento y las habilidades de la psicología. En este sentido, es un proceso que busca orientar, calificar y dar a conocer prácticas que sean compatibles o no con el ejercicio profesional de la psicología. El trabajo realizado en el SAPP generará opiniones que contribuirán mínimamente a la comprensión de los límites que delimitan los campos de la psicología y, por excelencia, comprender mejor nuestras propias formas de actuación. A través de la consideración de la tríada teoría-práctica-ética, el CFP espera que con el SAPP puede llevar a cabo el diálogo con grupos, prácticas y conocimientos fronterizos y constantemente pasados por alto por la psicología hegemónica. Con este fin, se asume que los conocimientos y prácticas de estas poblaciones pueden refinar las teorías psicológicas y hacer avanzar la psicología como ciencia y profesión.(AU)

La importancia de la estimulación a través de los colores / The importance of stimulation through colors

Este documento pretende hacer reflexionar sobre la importancia de los colores, tanto en el ámbito laboral como en el personal. Trata de plantear la policromía como una herramienta de estimulación, un ejemplo de diversidad y un camino para alcanzar el bienestar. (AU)

This document pretends to reflect on the importance of colors, both in professional field and in the personal. It tries to pose polychromy like a stimulation tool, an example of diversity and a way to wellness. (AU)

Práticas integrativas e complementares na atenção primária à saúde / Prácticas integradoras y complementarias en la atención primaria de salud / Integrative and complementary practices in primary health care

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar as práticas integrativas e complementares realizadas pelos profissionais da saúde nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Método: trata-se de um estudo realizado a partir de uma pesquisa qualitativa em cinco Unidades Básicas de Saúde de Pelotas, município do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, entre janeiro e março de 2020. A produção de informações ocorreu a partir de entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. A análise foi realizada por meio da proposta de maneira operativa, em três etapas: pré-análise; classificação dos dados; reflexão em busca da interpretação e compreensão de tudo o que foi exposto. Resultados: as 16 participantes eram todas mulheres, com idade entre 33 e 59 anos, sendo nove enfermeiras. As práticas aplicadas pelas profissionais para o cuidado aos usuários eram: Auriculoterapia, Arteterapia, Reiki e Plantas Medicinais. O registro é realizado conforme a organização de cada Unidade Básica de Saúde, podendo ocorrer no Prontuário Eletrônico do Cidadão, no prontuário físico, em um caderno utilizado para o registro e/ou em ficha específica. Considerações finais: ressalta-se a importância das práticas integrativas e complementares na atenção primária, devido ao vínculo entre profissionais e usuários, ampliando o cuidado integral.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar las prácticas integradoras y complementarias realizadas por los profesionales de la salud en las Unidades Básicas de Salud. Método: se trata de un estudio realizado a partir de una investigación cualitativa en cinco Unidades Básicas de Salud de Pelotas, municipio de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, entre enero y marzo de 2020. La producción de informaciones se produjo a partir de entrevistas con guion semiestructurado. El análisis fue realizado por medio de la propuesta de manera operativa, en tres etapas: preanálisis; clasificación de los datos; reflexión en busca de la interpretación y comprensión de todo lo que fue expuesto. Resultados: las 16 participantes eran todas mujeres, con edad entre 33 y 59 años, siendo nueve enfermeras. Las prácticas aplicadas por las profesionales para el cuidado a los usuarios eran: Auriculoterapia, Arteterapia, Reiki y Plantas Medicinales. El registro es realizado conforme la organización de cada Unidad Básica de Salud, pudiendo ocurrir en el Registro Médico Electrónico del Ciudadano, en el Registro Médico físico, en un cuaderno utilizado para el registro y/o en ficha específica. Consideraciones finales: se resalta la importancia de las prácticas integradoras y complementarias en la atención primaria, debido al vínculo entre profesionales y usuarios, ampliando el cuidado integral.

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the integrative and complementary practices held by health professionals in Primary Health Care Units. Method: this is a study conducted from qualitative research in five Primary Health Care Units of Pelotas, municipality of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, between January and March 2020. The production of information occurred from interviews with a semi-structured script. The analysis was performed by means of the proposal in an operative way, in three stages: pre-analysis; data classification; reflection in search of interpretation and understanding of everything that was exposed. Results: the 16 participants were all women, aged between 33 and 59 years, nine of whom were nurses. The practices applied by professionals for the care of users were: Auriculotherapy, Art Therapy, Reiki and Medicinal Plants. The record is performed according to the organization of each Primary Health Care Units, and may occur in the Citizen's Electronic Medical Record, in the physical record, in a notebook used for registration and/or in a specific form. Final considerations: it is underlined the importance of integrative and complementary practices in primary care, due to the bond between professionals and users, expanding comprehensive care.

[Possibilities of art therapy and color therapy in the rehabilitation of multiple sclerosis]. / Vozmozhnosti art-terapii i tsvetoterapii v reabilitatsii pri rasseyannom skleroze.

THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To study the effectiveness of non-drug methods of prevention and rehabilitation of patients with various variants of multiple sclerosis (MS) in outpatient settings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a group of 35 patients with limited mobility with various variants of the course of MS, continuous art therapy was performed (art lectures, work with various art materials - markers, pastels, etc.). The average duration of the training cycle in the group was 6 months. Classes were held on an outpatient basis, and if it was impossible to attend classes - remotely. RESULTS: Positive results were obtained in double psychological testing. 68% of patients had decreased levels of depression and anxiety on the HADS scale, 34% of patients refused to take antidepressants. However, positive psychotherapeutic dynamics against the background of art therapy is not a reason to cancel the main basic treatment. CONCLUSION: Art therapy-art therapy and, as its division, color therapy (diagnosis of the condition and treatment of color) is a synthesis of medicine, art and psychology. In MS patients, the following color combinations are recommended when working with art materials:stimulating (red, orange, coral, yellow); soothing (green, blue, blue, purple). Negative colors are excluded - black, gray, dirty shades with a mixture of black or gray.

Virtual Reality as a Portable Alternative to Chromotherapy Rooms for Stress Relief: A Preliminary Study.

Chromotherapy rooms are comfortable spaces, used in places like special needs schools, where stimuli are carefully selected to cope with stress. However, these rooms are expensive and require a space that cannot be reutilized. In this article, we propose the use of virtual reality (VR) as an inexpensive and portable alternative to chromotherapy rooms for stress relief. We recreated a chromotherapy room stress relief program using a commercial head mounted display (HD). We assessed the stress level of two groups (test and control) through an EEG biomarker, the relative gamma, while they experienced a relaxation session. First, participants were stressed using the Montreal imaging stress task (MIST). Then, for relaxing, the control group utilized a chromotherapy room while the test group used virtual reality. We performed a hypothesis test to compare the self- perceived stress level at different stages of the experiment and it yielded no significant differences in reducing stress for both groups, during relaxing (p-value: 0.8379, α = 0.05) or any other block. Furthermore, according to participant surveys, the use of virtual reality was deemed immersive, comfortable and pleasant (3.9 out of 5). Our preliminary results validate our approach as an inexpensive and portable alternative to chromotherapy rooms for stress relief.

Webpalestra: PIC’s. O uso da Cromoterapia para o equilíbrio físico, psíquico e emocional

Assista as gravações dos nossos vídeos sobre Práticas Integrativas e Complementares no link abaixo: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... Acesse os slides das nossas palestras na Biblioteca Virtual do Telessaúde ES! Confira a data da exibição e encontre o material desejado. Faça download e tenha o material preparado pelos nossos palestrantes. https://telessaude.ifes.edu.br/biblio...

[To the question of the possibility of using selective chromotherapy for allergic diseases in children]. / K voprosu o vozmozhnosti primeneniya selektivnoi khromoterapii pri allergicheskikh zabolevaniyakh u detei.

Allergic diseases are a common pathology in childhood. In the comprehensive medical rehabilitation of children with allergic pathology, non-drug methods of treatment are widely used, which help to reduce the number of drugs used, achieve and prolong the remission of the disease, favorably affect the clinical and functional indicators. THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Is the scientific justification for the use of selective chromotherapy in children with bronchial asthma (BA) and atopic dermatitis (AD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 120 children with allergic diseases (BA and AD). Among 100 patients with BA, the main group included 50 children, who received exposure to monochromatic polarized green light on biologically active zones for 10 days, 50 - a comparison group that did not receive physiotherapy. The main group of children with AD included 10 patients who received selective blue chromotherapy for foci of skin lesions; the comparison group included 10 children who used only moisturizers without physiotherapy methods. In order to assess the effectiveness of the impact of physical factors in all patients, clinical and functional studies were conducted in the dynamics before and after treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The results of clinical and functional examinations showed high therapeutic efficacy of the use of monochromatic polarized green light in children with BA (92.0%). The effectiveness of treating children with blood pressure AD using monochromatic polarized light (blue) was 80%. Indications for the use of selective chromotherapy in children with allergic diseases have been developed. For children with BA, selective chromotherapy of the green spectrum is indicated in the presence of a mild to moderate course of the disease, a period of incomplete remission, and an increased level of anxiety. It is advisable to prescribe selective chromotherapy of the blue spectrum to children with a moderate and mild course of AD. CONCLUSION: The positive effect of selective chromotherapy of the green spectrum on the clinical course of BA in children, bronchial patency, the functional state of the central nervous system and its autonomic part, and the psychoemotional status of children have been identified. The use of selective blue spectrum chromotherapy in children with AD helps to decrease the severity of objective symptoms, reduce the intensity of itching and sleep disturbance, as well as a marked decrease in the area of skin lesion.

The Efficacy of the Comprehensive Use of Naphthalan and Non-Selective Chromotherapy in the Treatment of Patients with Gonarthrosis.

In the last decade, a new direction of phototherapy - the non-selective chromotherapy (NSC) with Bioptron - has become widespread in clinical physiotherapy. The aim of the study was the scientific justification of the comprehensive treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of knee joints, including the combined use of refined naphthalan applications and irradiation with incoherent polarized Bioptron light. The article presents the results of the study which investigated the efficacy of the comprehensive treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joints in patients using the combined exposure to naphthalan applications with irradiation using the non-selective Bioptron chromotherapy in the sanatorium. 64 patients aged 40-69 years with stage 1-3 knee osteoarthritis were examined and treated. It was shown that the combined use of naphthalan and non-selective chromotherapy in patients with gonarthrosis reduces pain, improves the functional state of the affected knee joints and improves the quality of life of patients in the absence of adverse effects. A comparative analysis of the study results showed that the efficacy of the combined use of naphthalan and non-selective chromotherapy is superior to the isolated effect of naphthalan.

The mechanistic basis of chromotherapy: Current knowledge and future perspectives.

Chromotherapy is a method of treatment that uses wavelengths in the visible region for curing different diseases and medical conditions. Recent advances in photobiology and the speciality of Photobiomodulation are uncovering the cellular and molecular effects of visible range electromagnetic radiation. We discuss the reported effects of visible range radiation on cells (in vitro and in vivo) and the attempted explanations of the underlying processes with regard to therapeutic effects. Some of the important advances in this area are reviewed, especially the effects of visible light on bacteria, enzymes and the use of visible light for wound healing and treatment of psychiatric diseases for the purpose of explaining the therapeutic implications of chromotherapy. We highlight the correlation of wavelengths used between recently uncovered mechanisms of photobiology and conventional chromotherapy. The elucidation of mechanisms of the cellular and molecular interaction of light will help in deciphering the scientific background of chromotherapy and will help in the application of this alternative therapeutic treatment to many other diseases.

A pragmatic effectiveness randomized controlled trial of the duration of psychiatric hospitalization in a trans-diagnostic sample of patients with acute mental illness admitted to a ward with either blue-depleted evening lighting or normal lighting conditions.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing recognition of the need to stabilize sleep-wake cycles in individuals with major mental disorders. As such, clinicians and researchers advocate the use of interventions targeted at sleep and circadian dysrhythmias as an adjunct to the standard treatments offered for acute illness episodes of a broad range of diagnoses. To determine the trans-diagnostic generalizability of chronotherapy, we explore the benefits of admitting individuals with an acute illness episode to a psychiatric inpatient unit where changes in light exposure are integrated into the therapeutic environment. METHODS/DESIGN: A two-arm, pragmatic effectiveness, randomized controlled treatment trial, where individuals admitted for acute inpatient psychiatric care will be allocated to a ward with blue-depleted evening light or to a ward with the same layout and facilities but lacking the new lighting technology. The trial will test whether the experimental lighting conditions offer any additional benefits beyond those associated with usual treatment in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. The main objectives are to examine any differences between groups in the mean duration of hospitalization in days. Additional analyses will compare group differences in symptoms, functioning, medication usage, and side effects and whether length of stay is associated with stability of sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. Ancillary investigations should determine any benefits according to diagnostic subgroups and potential drawbacks such as any adverse effects on the well-being of professionals working across both wards. DISCUSSION: This unit offers a unique opportunity to explore how exposure to different lighting conditions may modify sleep-wake cycles and how any changes in sleep-wake cycle may impact on the clinical and functional outcomes of individuals experiencing an acute episode of a severe mental disorder that requires inpatient care. The findings could influence the future design of hospital units offering care to patients with mental or physical disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03788993 . Retrospectively registered on 28 December 2018.

Effects of Chromotherapy on the Cognitive Ability of Older Adults: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of chromotherapy on the cognitive ability of older adults. METHODS: This quasi-experimental pretest and posttest study was conducted among 135 older adults in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, between August and September 2015. The participants were divided into three groups: red, green, and white lights, with 45 people in each group. The cognitive ability of older adults was measured using an adapted Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). RESULTS: After the interventions, the red and green light experimental groups acquired a modest increase in cognitive ability scores against the comparison white light group (p < 0.001). However, the effects were not significantly different between the red and green lights postintervention (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The chromotherapy is effective in improving the cognitive ability of older adults. Specifically, the red and green lights are better than the white light in increasing the cognitive ability of older adults.

Práticas integrativas no SUS: Cromoterapia

O Ligado em Saúde apresenta mais um programa da série especial sobre Práticas Integrativas e Complementares em Saúde (PICS) no SUS. Nessa edição, o assunto é a cromoterapia, prática que usa o conhecimento sobre o efeito das cores na nossa mente e no nosso corpo para promover saúde e equilíbrio. O programa conta quais as cores usadas nesse tipo de terapia, explica quais os efeitos provocados por cada uma delas e mostra como é possível aplicar conceitos da cromoterapia no dia a dia. Para falar sobre o assunto, a apresentadora Marcela Morato recebe o psicólogo, metafísico e cromoterapeuta Valcapelli.

Application of red light phototherapy in the treatment of radioactive dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: To observe the effect of red light phototherapy (RLPT) on radioactive dermatitis (RD) caused by radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Sixty patients with HNC admitted to our hospital were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 30 patients in each group. The control group received routine daily care during radiotherapy treatment. In the experimental group, in addition to routine daily care during radiotherapy treatment, photon therapy apparatus RLPT was added, 10 min/time, 2 times/day, and lasted until the end of radiotherapy. The pain and conditions of the patients' skin were assessed daily, and the skin pain and dermatitis grades of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: In terms of the reaction degree of RD, experimental group was mainly grade 0-2, and control group was mainly grade 2-3, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). In terms of skin pain, according to the pain records at week 2, 3, and 4, the pain degree increased with time. However, the score of wound pain in experimental group was significantly lower than that in control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The application of RLPT in the treatment of RD can help accelerate wound healing and significantly shorten healing time. It can not only reduce wounds pain of patients, promote inflammation and ulcer healing, but also ensure the smooth progress of patients' radiotherapy and improve their quality of lives, which is worth popularization and application in the clinical practice.

Improved cognitive morning performance in healthy older adults following blue-enriched light exposure on the previous evening.

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to light can have acute alerting and circadian phase-shifting effects. This study investigated the effects of evening exposure to blue-enriched polychromatic white (BEL) vs. polychromatic white light (WL) on sleep inertia dissipation the following morning in older adults. METHODS: Ten healthy older adults (average age = 63.3 yrs; 6F) participated in a 13-day study comprising three baseline days, an initial circadian phase assessment, four days with 2-h evening light exposures, a post light exposure circadian phase assessment and three recovery days. Participants were randomized to either BEL or WL of the same irradiance for the four evening light exposures. On the next mornings at 2, 12, 22 and 32 min after each wake time, the participants completed a 90-s digit-symbol substitution test (DSST) to assess working memory, and objective alertness was assessed using a wake EEG recording. DSST and power density from the wake EEG recordings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: DSST performance improved with time awake (p < 0.0001) and across study days in both light exposure groups (p < 0.0001). There was no main effect of group, although we observed a significant day x group interaction (p = 0.0004), whereby participants exposed to BEL performed significantly better on the first two mornings after light exposures than participants in WL (post-hoc, p < 0.05). On those days, the BEL group showed higher EEG activity in some of the frequency bins in the sigma and beta range (p < 0.05) on the wake EEG. CONCLUSION: Exposure to blue-enriched white light in the evening significantly improved DSST performance the following morning when compared to polychromatic white light. This was associated with a higher level of objective alertness on the wake EEG, but not with changes in sleep or circadian timing.

Combination of a 2940 nm Er:YAG laser with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb-bFGF) and light-emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) for the treatment of striae alba: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Striae distensae (SD) are a common dermatologic problem that plagues many people. Although there are many therapeutic modalities have been used to treat SD, effective method has been disappointing for striae Alba. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic efficacy and safety of the 2940-nm erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) ablative fractional laser (AFL) with recombinant bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (rb-bFGF) and light-emitting diode-red light (LED-RL) for the treatment of striae alba. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty volunteers with striae distensae alba were enrolled. The subjects completed treatments with the 2940-nm Er:YAG AFL 6 times at 4-week intervals. Following this treatment, the subjects were required to spray rb-BFGF for 1 week at home. They then received LED-RL once every 7 days for three sessions between the two laser treatments. Two independent investigators evaluated clinical improvement at pretreatment and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment, patients also provided self-assessments of clinical improvement. Two biopsies were obtained from two subjects, both of the same sites of striae alba, one before the first treatment and one 6 months after the last session. RESULTS: All 30 subjects demonstrated clinical improvement after treatment. Skin biopsies after treatment showed an increase in epidermal thickness, dermal thickness, and collagen and elastin density when compared to that at the baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the 2940-nm Er:YAG laser with rb-bFGF and LED-RL for the treatment of striae alba was a safe and effective approach for improving the appearance of striae alba.

Laser and light-based treatments of acne and acne scarring.

The treatment of acne and acne scarring with lasers and light-based and energy-based technologies has become an integral component of our therapeutic arsenal. Lasers including infrared wavelengths and pulsed dye lasers; light devices including blue light, red light, and broadband light; and photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid and methylaminolevulinic acid have been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The optimal outcomes are achieved with photodynamic therapy combined with medical therapy. Acne scarring has been best treated with lasers, including nonablative infrared lasers, fractional nonablative and ablative laser resurfacing, and most recently needle-based radiofrequency devices.

Noninvasive red and near-infrared wavelength-induced photobiomodulation: promoting impaired cutaneous wound healing.

The innumerable intricacies associated with chronic wounds have made the development of new painless, noninvasive, biophysical therapeutic interventions as the focus of current biomedical research. Red and near-infrared light-induced photobiomodulation therapy appears to emerge as a promising drug-free approach for promoting wound healing, reduction in inflammation, pain and restoration of function owing to penetration power in conjunction with their ability to positively modulate the biochemical and molecular responses. This review will describe the physical properties of red and near-infrared light and their interaction with skin and highlight their efficacy of wound repair and regeneration. Near-infrared (800-830 nm) was found to be the most effective and widely studied wavelength range followed by red (630-680 nm) and 904 nm superpulsed light exhibiting beneficial photobiomodulatory effects on impaired dermal wound healing.

Assessment of dietary exposure and effect in humans: The role of NMR.

In human nutritional science progress has always depended strongly on analytical measurements for establishing relationships between diet and health. This field has undergone significant changes as a result of the development of NMR and mass spectrometry methods for large scale detection, identification and quantification of metabolites in body fluids. This has allowed systematic studies of the metabolic fingerprints that biological processes leave behind, and has become the research field of metabolomics. As a metabolic profiling technique, NMR is at its best when its unbiased nature, linearity and reproducibility are exploited in well-controlled nutritional intervention and cross-sectional population screening studies. Although its sensitivity is less good than that of mass spectrometry, NMR has maintained a strong position in metabolomics through implementation of standardisation protocols, hyphenation with mass spectrometry and chromatographic techniques, accurate quantification and spectral deconvolution approaches, and high-throughput automation. Thus, NMR-based metabolomics has contributed uniquely to new insights into dietary exposure, in particular by unravelling the metabolic fates of phytochemicals and the discovery of dietary intake markers. NMR profiling has also contributed to the understanding of the subtle effects of diet on central metabolism and lipoprotein metabolism. In order to hold its ground in nutritional metabolomics, NMR will need to step up its performance in sensitivity and resolution; the most promising routes forward are the analytical use of dynamic nuclear polarisation and developments in microcoil construction and automated fractionation.