Direct Photobiomodulation Therapy on the Sciatic Nerve Significantly Attenuates Acute Nociceptive Sensitivity Without Affecting Motor Output.

Objectives: Pharmacologic pain treatments lack specific targeting and often produce unwanted side effects (eg, addiction, additional hyperalgesia). We previously established that the direct application of laser irradiation (direct photobiomodulation [PBM]) of the sural nerve reduces thermal hypersensitivity in a rodent model of chronic pain, but not mechanical hypersensitivity. These observations were consistent with a selective reduction in the small-diameter fiber contribution to electrophysiologically measured evoked response after direct PBM of a sensory nerve (saphenous).

Photobiomodulation for pain relief: Model-based estimates of effective doses of light at the neural target.

Introduction: Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been studied since the 1960s as a clinical tool. More recently, PBM has been observed to reduce compound action potential components and hypersensitivities associated with neuropathic pains. However, no definitive description of efficacious light parameters has been determined.

Selective neural inhibition via photobiomodulation alleviates behavioral hypersensitivity associated with small sensory fiber activation.

Objective: Photobiomodulation at higher irradiances has great potential as a pain-alleviating method that selectively inhibits small diameter nerve fibers and corresponding sensory experiences, such as nociception and heat sensation. The longevity and magnitude of these effects as a function of laser irradiation parameters at the nerve was explored.

Methods: In a rodent chronic pain model (spared nerve injury-SNI), light was applied directly at the sural nerve with four delivery schemes: two irradiance levels (7.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Plus Usual Care Is Better than Usual Care Alone for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Plantar fasciitis (PF) results in pain-related disability and excessive healthcare costs. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown promise for decreasing both pain and disability related to PF.

Purpose: The purpose was to assess the clinical impact of PBMT on pain and function in people with PF.

Photobiomodulation and Vascularization in Conduit-Based Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Narrative Review.

Peripheral nerve injuries pose a significant clinical issue for patients, especially in the most severe cases wherein complete transection (neurotmesis) results in total loss of sensory/motor function. Nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are a common treatment option that protects and guides regenerating axons during recovery. However, treatment outcomes remain limited and often fail to achieve full reinnervation, especially in critically sized defects (>3 cm) where a lack of vascularization leads to neural necrosis.

Low level laser therapy for the management of breast cancer-related lymphedema: A randomized controlled feasibility study.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting a full scale randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of low level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, used in addition to conventional therapy, for managing breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL).

Materials And Methods: Patients with BCRL were recruited from the Southern District Health Board (New Zealand) via lymphedema therapists' referrals, and randomly allocated into either the laser group, which received BCRL conventional therapy (e.g.

Low level laser therapy (Photobiomodulation therapy) for breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review.

Background: Breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) is a prevalent complication secondary to cancer treatments which significantly impacts the physical and psychological health of breast cancer survivors. Previous research shows increasing use of low level laser therapy (LLLT), now commonly referred to as photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, for BCRL. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of LLLT (PBM) in the management of BCRL.

The mechanistic basis for photobiomodulation therapy of neuropathic pain by near infrared laser light.

Background And Objective: Various irradiances have been reported to be beneficial for the treatment of neuropathic pain with near infrared light. However, the mechanistic basis for the beneficial outcomes may vary based on the level of irradiance or fluence rate used. Using in vivo and in vitro experimental models, this study determined the mechanistic basis of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the treatment of neuropathic pain using a high irradiance.

Comparison of Light Penetration of Continuous Wave 810 nm and Superpulsed 904 nm Wavelength Light in Anesthetized Rats.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate light transmission of continuous wave (CW) 810 nm wavelength light and 904 nm wavelength superpulsed light through skin and gastrocnemius muscle and skin only using an anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rat model.

Materials And Methods: The hair was shaved from the left thigh region of the anesthetized rats and a detector, which measured fluence rate, was placed either in the fascial plane deep into the muscle or below the dermis. The laser probe was placed in contact with the surface of the skin and measurements were taken for 4, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min depending on the experiment.

Characterization of Macrophage/Microglial Activation and Effect of Photobiomodulation in the Spared Nerve Injury Model of Neuropathic Pain.

Objective: Neuropathic pain is common and debilitating with limited effective treatments. Macrophage/microglial activation along ascending somatosensory pathways following peripheral nerve injury facilitates neuropathic pain. However, polarization of macrophages/microglia in neuropathic pain is not well understood.

Photobiomodulation of the dorsal root ganglion for the treatment of low back pain: A pilot study.

Background And Objective: Chronic low back pain is a worldwide public health issue with high socioeconomic impact. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of laser irradiation of the dorsal root ganglion of the second lumbar spinal nerve for chronic axial low back pain compared to lidocaine injection and radiofrequency treatment.

Study Design/materials And Methods: Twenty-eight patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups: lidocaine injection, radiofrequency, or laser.

Quantitative analysis of transcranial and intraparenchymal light penetration in human cadaver brain tissue.

Background And Objective: Photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-level light therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of injury and disease of the nervous system. The use of PBM to treat injury and diseases of the brain requires an in-depth understanding of light propagation through tissues including scalp, skull, meninges, and brain. This study investigated the light penetration gradients in the human cadaver brain using a Transcranial Laser System with a 30 mm diameter beam of 808 nm wavelength light.

Organic light emitting diode improves diabetic cutaneous wound healing in rats.

A major complication for diabetic patients is chronic wounds due to impaired wound healing. It is well documented that visible red wavelengths can accelerate wound healing in diabetic animal models and patients. In vitro and in vivo diabetic models were used to investigate the effects of organic light emitting diode (OLED) irradiation on cellular function and cutaneous wound healing.

The antidepressant tranylcypromine alters cellular proliferation and migration in the adult goldfish brain.

The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a widely studied vertebrate model organism for studying cell proliferation in the adult brain, and provide the experimental advantage of growing their body and brain throughout their ∼30-year life time. Cell proliferation occurs in the teleost brain in widespread proliferation zones. Increased cell proliferation in the brain has been linked to the actions of certain antidepressants, including tranylcypromine (TCP), which is used in the treatment of depression.

In vitro and in vivo optimization of infrared laser treatment for injured peripheral nerves.

Background And Objective: Repair of peripheral nerve injuries remains a major challenge in restorative medicine. Effective therapies that can be used in conjunction with surgical nerve repair to improve nerve regeneration and functional recovery are being actively investigated. It has been demonstrated by a number of peer reviewed publications that photobiomodulation (PBM) supports nerve regeneration, reinnervation of the denervated muscle, and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.

Fibroblasts isolated from human middle turbinate mucosa cause neural progenitor cells to differentiate into glial lineage cells.

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is a potential therapy for repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). Autologous transplantation of OECs has been reported in clinical trials. However, it is still controversial whether purified OECs or olfactory mucosa containing OECs, fibroblasts and other cells should be used for transplantation.

808 nm wavelength light induces a dose-dependent alteration in microglial polarization and resultant microglial induced neurite growth.

Background And Objective: Despite the success of using photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low level light therapy, in promoting recovery after central nervous system (CNS) injury, the effect of PBM on microglia, the primary mediators of immune and inflammatory response in the CNS, remains unclear. Microglia exhibit a spectrum of responses to injury, with partial or full polarization into pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Pro-inflammatory (M1 or classically activated) microglia contribute to chronic inflammation and neuronal toxicity, while anti-inflammatory (M2 or alternatively activated) microglia play a role in wound healing and tissue repair; microglia can fall anywhere along this spectrum in response to stimulation.

Effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on acute neural recovery and inflammation-related gene expression after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve.

Background And Objectives: Peripheral nerve function can be debilitated by different kinds of injury. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used successfully during rehabilitation to stimulate recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT (660 nm, 60 J/cm(2) , 40 mW/cm(2) ) on acute sciatic nerve injury.

Pulsed light irradiation improves behavioral outcome in a rat model of chronic mild stress.

Background And Objective: Transcranial laser therapy (TLT) has been used successfully for the treatment of stroke in animal models and clinical trials. These results support the hypothesis that TLT could be used to treat other central nervous system conditions, such as depression. Current therapy for depression emphasizes pharmaco-therapeutics.