The following is a summary of recent research findings:
- Acute injuries: improves swelling and edema (1)
- Bone Fractures: stimulates osteoblasts for bone healing (2)
- Chronic Joint Disorders: pain reduction and improved health status (3)
- Immunosuppression, post-chemotherapy: in pediatric oncology patients, post-chemo, ↑ counts of mature T-lymphocytes, T-suppressors, and lymphocytes—“general improvement without any complications or side effects”(4)
- Ligament Injuries: improves ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and stiffness (5)
- Nerve Injuries: anti-inflammatory effect on damaged spinal cord and potential role in nerve regeneration (6)
- Peripheral Neuropathy, including diabetic and chemo-induced: ↓ pain, ↑ sensation (study soon to be published in JAMA)
- Post-Herpetic Neuralgia: reduction in pain intensity and distribution (7)
- Post-Operative Vomiting: reduced in children undergoing strabismus (eye) surgery (8)
- Post-Radiation Skin Reactions: shortens recovery time (9)
- Wounds: accelerate wound healing and tissue repair, including necrosis, venous stasis ulcers, episiotomies and perineal tears from childbirth (10)
References
(1) Thermographic Study of LLLT for Acute-Phase Injury. Yoshimi Asagai, M.D.1, Atuhiro Imakiire, M.D.2, Toshio Oshiro, M.D.3, 1. Shinano Handicapped Children's Hospital Shimosuwa, Nagano, Japan 2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Shinjuka, Tokyo, Japan 3. Japan Medical Laser Laboratory Shinanomachi, Tokyo, Japan.
(2) Aurelicio N. Silva Junior, Antonio L.B. Pinheiro, Marilia G. Oliveira, Ruben Weismann, Luciana Maria Pedreira Ramalho, Renata Amadei Nicolau. "Computerized Morphometric Assessment of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Bone Repair: An Experimental Animal Study." Journal of Clinical Laser Medicine & Surgery. April 1, 2002, 20(2): 83-87. doi:10.1089/104454702753768061.
(3) Bjordal JM, Couppe Roberta C, Chow RT, Tuner J, Ljunggren EA. "A Systematic Review of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) with Location-Specific Doses for Pain from Chronic Joint Disorders." Section of Physiotherapy Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, 5020 Norway. Aust J Physiother 2003;49(2):107-16.
(4) Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Russian Oncological Scientific Center. L.A. Durnov, A.Y. Grabovshchiner, L.I. Gusev, S.A. Balakirev.
(5) Fund DT, Ng G, Leung MC, Tay DK> "Therapeutic Low Energy Laser Improves Mechanical Strength of Repairing Medial Collateral Ligament." Lasers Surg Med. 2002; 31:91-96.
(6) K.R. Byrnes 1, R.W. Waynant 2, I.K. Ilev 2, B. Johnson 1, Pollard H. 1, Srivastava M. 1, Edelman O. 1, Huang W. 1, Anders J.J. 1. "Light Therapy (LLLT) Alters Gene Expression After Acute Spinal Cord Injury." World Association for Laser Therapy. 1. Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Service University, Bethesda, MD, USA; 2. Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD, USA.
(7) Kevin C Moore MB Ch B FRCA, Naru Hira, Parnswanath Kramer, Copparam Jayakumar, Toshio Oshiro. Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Oldham Hospital UK. "Double Blind Crossover Trial of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in the Treatment of Post Herpetic Neuralgia." Laser Therapy. 1988; 1:7.
(8) Schlager A et al. "Laser Stimulation of Acupuncture Point P6 Reduces Postoperative Vomiting in Children Undergoing Strabismus Surgery." British Journal Anesthesiology 1998, 81 (4) 529-532.
(9) Russian Oncological Scientific Center. L.A. Durnov, A.Y. Grabovshchiner, L.I. Gusev, S.A. Balakirev.
(10) D. Lichtenstein FICA, B. Morag, Maccabi Health Services and Department of Vascular Surgery, Sourasky Medical Center, Sakler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv, Israel. "Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Ambulatory Patients with Venous Stasis Ulcers." Laser Therapy Vol II-2.
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