Can Transdermal Photobiomodulation Help Us at the Time of COVID-19?

Use of either transcranial or whole-body photobiomodulation treatments improves COVID-19 brain fog

There is increasing recognition of post-COVID-19 sequelae involving chronic fatigue and brain fog, for which photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been utilized. This open-label, pilot, human clinical study examined the efficacy of two PBM devices, for example, a helmet (1070 nm) for transcranial (tPBM) and a light bed (660 and 850 nm) for whole body (wbPBM), over a 4-week period, with 12 treatments for two separate groups (n = 7 per group). Subjects were evaluated with a neuropsychological test battery, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), the trail-making tests A and B, the physical reaction time (PRT), and a quantitative electroencephalography system (WAVi), both pre- and post- the treatment series. Each device for PBM delivery was associated with significant improvements in cognitive tests (p < 0.05 and beyond). Changes in WAVi supported the findings. This study outlines the benefits of utilizing PBM therapy (transcranial or whole-body) to help treat long-COVID brain fog.

Cardiopulmonary and hematological effects of infrared LED photobiomodulation in the treatment of SARS-COV2

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 disease is caused by SARS-CoV-2 which can trigger acute respiratory syndrome, which presents with dense alveolar and interstitial infiltrates and pulmonary edema, causing severe hypoxemia and significant alteration to pulmonary mechanics with reduced pulmonary compliance. The photobiomodulation technique alters cellular and molecular metabolism, showing promising results regarding the reduction of acute pulmonary inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the photomodulation technique using near-infrared LED to conventional respiratory physiotherapy treatment in patients with COVID-19 in reversing acute conditions, reducing hospitalization time, and decreasing the need for oxygen therapy.

METHODOLOGY

The cohort was comprised of 30 patients undergoing COVID-19 treatment who were divided and allocated into two equal groups randomly: the LED group (LED), treated with infrared LED at 940 nm and conventional therapy, and the control group (CON), who received conventional treatment (antibiotic therapy for preventing superimposed bacterial infections, and physiotherapy) with LED irradiation off. Phototherapy used a vest with an array of 300 LEDs (940 nm) mounted on a 36 cm × 58 cm area and positioned in the patient's anterior thoracic and abdominal regions. The total power was 6 W, with 15 min irradiation time. Cardiopulmonary functions and blood count were monitored before and after treatment. The patients were treated daily for 7 days. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-tailed unpaired Student's t-test at a significance level of α = 0.05.

RESULTS

Post-treatment, the LED group showed a reduction in hospital discharge time and a statistically significant improvement for the following cardiopulmonary functions: Partial Oxygen Saturation, Tidal Volume, Maximum Inspiratory, and Expiratory Pressures, Respiratory Frequency, Heart Rate, and Systolic Blood Pressure (p < 0.05). Regarding blood count, it was observed that post-treatment, the LED group presented with significant differences in the count of leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION

Photobiomodulation therapy can be used as a complement to conventional treatment of COVID-19, promoting the improvement of cardiopulmonary functions, and minimization of respiratory symptoms.

Comments on New Integrative Photomedicine Equipment for Photobiomodulation and COVID-19

Up to now it has not yet been scientifically proven whether the technical methods of photonics in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and laser acupuncture in connection with COVID-19 have achieved effective medical success. As part of this short technical note, an overview of the current scientific status is given and new equipment from our own research area is briefly presented. Although there are still many unanswered questions, it seems to be emerging that PBM and PDT in connection with the corresponding photosensitizers may make it appear worthwhile to perform experimental and clinical studies, primarily as so-called home therapy studies. In any case, the technical requirements for this are already in progress.

Blue photobiomodulation LED therapy impacts SARS-CoV-2 by limiting its replication in Vero cells

The study of any intervention able to counteract SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is considerably envisaged. It was previously shown, in in vitro models of infections, that the LED blue light is able to decrease the viral load of HSV-1 and ZIKV. In our study, LED photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) at blue wavelengths (450, 454 and 470 nm) was tested in an in vitro model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, employing three experimental settings: SARS-CoV-2 was irradiated and then transferred to cells; already infected cells were irradiated; cells were irradiated prior to infection. A decrement of the viral load was observed when previously infected cells were irradiated with all three tested wavelengths and relevant effects were registered especially at 48 hours post-infection, possibly suggesting that the blue light could interfere with the intracellular viral replication machinery. Our in vitro findings could represent the starting point for translational applications of PBMT as a supportive approach to fight SARS-CoV-2.

Low-Level Laser Therapy in Prevention of the Development of Endothelial Dysfunction and Clinical Experience of Treatment and Rehabilitation of COVID-19 Patients

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the article is to justify the application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to prevent the development of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. The results of treating and rehabilitating patients with COVID-19 and prevention of the disease using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are evaluated.

METHODS

A literature review is conducted on mechanisms of vascular homeostasis regulation, biomodulating effect of laser light, and LLLT methods for preventing endothelial dysfunction. A total of 106 patients were treated in two COVID-19 healthcare centers in Russia. 22 patients with SARS (+) pneumonia at the stage of resolving the pathological lesion were admitted to rehabilitation using pulsed IR laser. 14 patients with acute forms of COVID-19 were treated using LASMIK device: wavelength 904 nm, pulsed mode, externally and ILBI-525 (intravenous laser blood illumination) + LUVBI (ultraviolet laser blood illumination). 70 persons underwent preventive courses of noninvasive LLLT.

RESULTS

It was shown that LLLT is effective in preventing the development of endothelial dysfunction. Clinical experience demonstrated good tolerability of the treatment, improvement in sputum discharge, and an improvement in overall health. The severity of general hypoxia decreased by the 5th procedure. The procedures for prevention of the disease were well tolerated; there were no cases of COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Low-level laser therapy is a justified treatment method that promotes lung tissue regeneration and mitigates the consequences of the disease. The obtained results confirm that LLLT can be used for the effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Photobiomodulation und COVID-19

Die Zahl hochrangiger Publikationen zur Photobiomodulation steigt weltweit überproportional an und es ist daher auch leicht nachvollziehbar, dass die Therapieoption auch bei der Behandlung von COVID-19 als komplementäres Verfahren zur Pandemiebekämpfung methodisch erweitert und getestet werden soll. Um den gegenwärtigen Stand des Wissens zur Thematik zu erheben, wurde eine aktuelle Recherche zu klinischen laufenden Forschungsprojekten und den ersten vorliegenden Ergebnissen initiiert. Seitens der gewählten Methode wurde dabei die Variante einer möglichen selbst durchführbaren „Heim-Behandlung“ in den Fokus der Recherche gestellt. Drei aktuelle Studiendesigns sollen in diesem Übersichtsreport näher beschrieben und diskutiert werden. Die drei beschriebenen Studienvorhaben entsprechen zwar nicht alle den seitens einer „good scientific practice“ notwendigen Anforderungen, sollen aber dennoch aufgrund der Aktualität hier kurz vorgestellt werden. Wenngleich die Designs durchaus wissenschaftlich beurteilbare Ergebnisse erwarten lassen, kann derzeit (noch) kein wissenschaftlicher Schluss gezogen werden, dass sich die drei Verfahren zur Behandlung von COVID-19 als geeignet erweisen. Gründe dafür sind, dass bei zwei der drei Studien noch keine Ergebnisse vorliegen und eine Pilotstudie grobe formale wissenschaftliche Mängel aufweist, die es gilt, in Folgeuntersuchungen zu vermeiden.

A Potential Role for Photobiomodulation Therapy in Disease Treatment and Prevention in the Era of COVID-19

COVID-19 is an evolving pandemic that has far reaching global effects, with a combination of factors that makes the virus difficult to contain. The symptoms of infection can be devastating or at the least very debilitating for vulnerable individuals. It is clear that the elderly are at most risk of the adverse impacts of the virus, including hospitalization and death. Others at risk are those with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and metabolic conditions and those with a hyper-excitable immune response. Treatment options for those with acute responses to the virus are limited and there is an urgent need for potential strategies that can mitigate these severe effects. One potential avenue for treatment that has not been explored is the microbiome gut/lung axis. In addition to those severely affected by their acute reaction to the virus, there is also a need for treatment options for those that are slow to recover from the effects of the infection and also those who have been adversely affected by the measures put in place to arrest the spread of the virus. One potential treatment option is photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy. PBM has been shown over many years to be a safe, effective, non-invasive and easily deployed adjunctive treatment option for inflammatory conditions, pain, tissue healing and cellular energy. We have also recently demonstrated the effectiveness of PBM to alter the gut microbiome. PBM therapy is worthy of consideration as a potential treatment for those most vulnerable to COVID-19, such as the elderly and those with comorbidities. The treatment may potentially be advantageous for those infected with the virus, those who have a slow recovery from the effects of the virus and those who have been denied their normal exercise/rehabilitation programs due to the isolation restrictions that have been imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phototherapy as a Rational Antioxidant Treatment Modality in COVID-19 Management; New Concept and Strategic Approach: Critical Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the entire globe by storm. The pathogenesis of this virus has shown a cytokine storm release, which contributes to critical or severe multi-organ failure. Currently the ultimate treatment is palliative; however, many modalities have been introduced with effective or minimal outcomes. Meanwhile, enormous efforts are ongoing to produce safe vaccines and therapies. Phototherapy has a wide range of clinical applications against various maladies. This necessitates the exploration of the role of phototherapy, if any, for COVID-19. This critical review was conducted to understand COVID-19 disease and highlights the prevailing facts that link phototherapy utilisation as a potential treatment modality for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. The results demonstrated phototherapy's efficacy in regulating cytokines and inflammatory mediators, increasing angiogenesis and enhancing healing in chronic pulmonary inflammatory diseases. In conclusion, this review answered the following research question. Which molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of phototherapy have demonstrated great potential in enhancing the immune response and reducing host-viral interaction in COVID-19 patients? Therefore, phototherapy is a promising treatment modality, which needs to be validated further for COVID-19 by robust and rigorous randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trials to evaluate its impartial outcomes and safety.