Effects of Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Treatment Using Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined with Static Magnetic Field in Aging Rats.

(1) Background: We investigated the detrimental and protective effects of short-, medium, and long-term treatment with different doses of photobiomodulation therapy combined with static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) during the aging process. (2) Methods: Rats were treated for 15, 30, and 60 weeks with 1, 3, 10, and 30 J of PBMT-sMF or a placebo control. In addition, eight young rats were not subjected to any procedure or treatment and were euthanized at six weeks old. Skin, muscle, bone, kidney, liver, and blood samples were analyzed. (3) Results: No differences between the groups in the morphology of the skin, muscle, and bone was observed. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels were increased in the placebo group after 30 and 60 weeks. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels were also increased in the placebo group after 30 weeks. An increase in creatinine in the PBMT-sMF 3, 10, and 30 J groups compared with that in the young control group was observed. No significant difference in urea levels between the groups was noted. Vascular endothelial growth factor increased in the PBMT-sMF 10 and 30 J groups after 15 weeks of treatment and in the PBMT-sMF 3 J after 60 weeks. Finally, vascular endothelial growth factor decreased in the PBMT-sMF 30 J group after 30 weeks of treatment. (4) Conclusions: PBMT-sMF did not have detrimental effects on the skin, muscle, bone, kidney, or liver after short-, medium-, and long-term treatments in aging rats. In addition, PBMT-sMF may have protective effects on the muscle tissue in aging rats after short- and long-term treatment.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined with Static Magnetic Field Reduces Pain in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Neck and/or Shoulder Pain: A Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has been used to treat patients with chronic neck and/or shoulder pain. However, it is unknown whether the concurrent use of PBMT and static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) also has positive effects in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PBMT-sMF versus placebo on pain intensity, range of motion (ROM) and treatment satisfaction in patients with chronic nonspecific neck and/or shoulder pain. A randomized controlled trial, with blinded assessors, therapists and patients was carried out. Seventy-two patients with chronic nonspecific neck and/or shoulder pain were randomized to either active PBMT-sMF (n = 36) or placebo PBMT-sMF (n = 36). Patients were treated twice weekly, over 3 weeks. Primary outcome was pain intensity, measured 15 min after the last treatment session and at 24-, 48-, 72-h, and 7-days after the last treatment. Secondary outcomes were ROM, patient' treatment satisfaction, and adverse effects. PBMT-sMF was able to reduce pain intensity in all time points tested compared to placebo (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups in the secondary outcomes (p > 0.05). Our results suggest that PBMT-sMF is better than placebo to reduce pain in patients with chronic nonspecific neck and/or shoulder pain at short-term.

Immediate effects of photobiomodulation therapy combined with a static magnetic field on the subsequent performance: a preliminary randomized crossover triple-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

There is evidence about the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) alone and combined with a static magnetic field (PBMT-sMF) on skeletal muscle fatigue, physical performance and post-exercise recovery in different types of exercise protocols and sports activity. However, the effects of PBMT-sMF to improve the subsequent performance after a first set of exercises are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PBMT-sMF, applied between two sets of exercises, on the subsequent physical performance. A randomized, crossover, triple-blinded (assessors, therapist, and volunteers), placebo-controlled trial was carried out. Healthy non-athlete male volunteers were randomized and treated with a single application of PBMT-sMF and placebo between two sets of an exercise protocol performed on isokinetic dynamometer. The order of interventions was randomized. The primary outcome was fatigue index and the secondary outcomes were total work, peak work, and blood lactate levels. Twelve volunteers were randomized and analyzed to each sequence. PBMT-sMF decreased the fatigue index compared to the placebo PBMT-sMF at second set of the exercise protocol (MD = -6.08, 95% CI -10.49 to -1.68). In addition, PBMT-sMF decreased the blood lactate levels post-intervention, and after the second set of the exercise protocol compared to placebo (p<0.05). There was no difference between PBMT-sMF and placebo in the remaining outcomes tested. Volunteers did not report adverse events. Our results suggest that PBMT-sMF is able to decrease skeletal muscle fatigue, accelerating post-exercise recovery and, consequently, increasing subsequent physical performance when applied between two sets of exercises.