Brain Photobiomodulation-Preliminary Results from Regional Cerebral Oximetry and Thermal Imaging

Devices used for photobiomodulation of the brain-a comprehensive and systematic review

A systematic review was conducted to determine the trends in devices and parameters used for brain photobiomodulation (PBM). The revised studies included clinical and cadaveric approaches, in which light stimuli were applied to the head and/or neck. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were used for the systematic search. A total of 2133 records were screened, from which 97 were included in this review. The parameters that were extracted and analysed in each article were the device design, actuation area, actuation site, wavelength, mode of operation, power density, energy density, power output, energy per session and treatment time. To organize device information, 11 categories of devices were defined, according to their characteristics. The most used category of devices was laser handpieces, which relate to 21% of all devices, while 28% of the devices were not described. Studies for cognitive function and physiological characterisation are the most well defined ones and with more tangible results. There is a lack of consistency when reporting PBM studies, with several articles under defining the stimulation protocol, and a wide variety of parameters used for the same health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease) resulting in positive outcomes. Standardization for the report of these studies is warranted, as well as sham-controlled comparative studies to determine which parameters have the greatest effect on PBM treatments for different neurological conditions.

Effects of photobiomodulation on pain, lactate and muscle performance (ROM, torque, and EMG parameters) of paretic upper limb in patients with post-stroke spastic hemiparesis-a randomized controlled clinical trial

The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of photobiomodulation (PBM) on the paretic upper limb in post-stroke patients with spastic hemiparesis and to understand the potential of PBM as a long-term non-invasive therapy for reducing the side effects caused by spasticity in the hemiparetic upper limb after a stroke. This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial constituted of 27 participants, being Control group (CG = 12 healthy individuals) and PBM group (PBMG = 15 post-stroke individuals). In the CG, the baseline blood lactate (BL) was evaluated, followed by the evaluation of the IC torque of the biceps and triceps muscles, with the isokinetic dynamometer associated with surface electromyography (EMG) and, subsequently, a new measurement of BL. The PBMG received 10 sessions of treatment with PBM (780 nm, Power: 100 mV, Power Density: 3.18 W/cm2, Energy: 4 J, Fluency: 127.4 J/cm2, Time: 40 s per point and 1.280 s total, Spot: 0.0314 cm2, 32 Points: 16 points (brachial biceps) and 16 points (brachial triceps) applied with contact at 90°, Total Energy: 64 J), which in the pre-treatment evaluation measured BL, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain; torque and EMG of the same muscles in the IC, subsequently, a new measurement of VAS and BL, and measurement of range of motion (ROM) during the reaching movement. At the conclusion of the ten sessions, all participants underwent a reassessment, wherein all tests originally administered during the initial evaluation were repeated. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk normality test. For related data, the paired t-test was used for normal distributions and the Wilcoxon test for non-normal data. For unrelated data, the t test was used for normal distributions and the Mann-Whitney test for non-normal data. Muscle torque was higher for the CG, with a significant difference (CGxPBMG = p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the EMG values of the CG in relation to the Pre-PBM phase and with the Post-PBM phase of the PBMG (p > 0.05). On the other hand, there was a 38% reduction in pain reported by hemiparetic patients (p = 0.0127) and a decrease in BL in the PBMG. Post-PBM ROM increased by 46.1% in the elbow extension of the paretic limb. In conclusion, Photobiomodulation (PBM) demonstrated significant improvements in muscle performance, reducing fatigue and pain levels, and enhancing range of motion in post-stroke patients with spastic hemiparesis. These findings support the potential integration of PBM into rehabilitation protocols, but further research and clinical trials are needed to validate and expand upon these promising outcomes.

Laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks: a randomized controlled trial

To investigate the efficacy of laser acupuncture and photobiomodulation therapy in alleviating symptoms among patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks. The randomized controlled trial has been performed from May 2021 to April 2023. Patients were eligible who had Bell's palsy with duration of greater than 8 weeks on out-patient Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Beijing Tongren Hospital. The laser acupuncture group received class IV laser treatment for 3 times per weeks, a total of 72 times. The control group received the same treatment procedure except the laser parameter. The primary outcome measures comprised House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system and electroneurography. Secondary outcome measures comprised Sunnybrook facial grading system, electromyography, and the blink reflex. A total of 84 participants were included (42 control group, 42 laser acupuncture group). After treatment, House-Brackmann facial nerve grading system (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.30; P < 0.001), and the pathologic numbers of electroneuronography were statistically different between the laser acupuncture group and control group, including orbicularis oculi (OR,0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.21; P < 0.001), Frontalis muscle (OR,0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.39; P < 0.001), Orbicularis oris (OR,0.13; 95% CI, 0.04-0.36; P < 0.001), Ala nasi muscle (OR,0.06; 95% CI, 0.02-0.18; P < 0.001). In secondary outcomes, Sunnybrook facial grading system, has significant difference between the two groups (20.26; 95% CI, 14.69 to 25.83; P < 0.01). Latency by ENoG, include orbicularis oculi (-0.61; 95% CI, -0.43 to -0.09; P < 0.001), frontalis muscle (-0.12; 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.03; P < 0.01), orbicularis oris (-0.28; 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.16; P < 0.001), and ala nasi muscle (-0.26; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.16; P < 0.001). All amplitudes of MUAPs and durations by electromyography (EMG) showed statistically significant differences compared with the control group after treatment. For the frontalis muscle, the amplitude of MUAPs was -64.23 (95% CI, -80.89 to -47.56; P < 0.001) and duration was -1.18 (95% CI, -1.49 to -0.87; P < 0.001). For orbicularis oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -29.82 (95% CI, -55.03 to -4.62; P = 0.02) and duration was -0.57 (95% CI, -0.94 to -0.20; P < 0.001). For depressor angulli oris, amplitude of MUAPs was -47.06 (95% CI, -62.15 to -31.97; P < 0.001) and duration was -2.21 (95% CI, -2.69 to -1.72; P < 0.001). Blink reflex, including R1 (OR, 0.03; 95% CI, 0.01-0.16; P < .001), R2 (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.004-0.29; P < .001), and R2 latency differences (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.51; P < .001), have significant difference between the two groups, respectively. The findings suggest that laser acupuncture relieve symptoms for patients with Bell's palsy with a duration of greater than 8 weeks.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05846217.

Integrative Medicine and Helmet Constructions—A Feature Article about Milestones and Perspectives

Helmet designs have not only been used successfully in integrative medicine for decades in acupuncture research, but they are also increasingly being used in the field of transcranial photobiomodulation (TPBM), primarily in so-called mental diseases. The author of this article has been dealing with developed helmet constructions for neuromonitoring for over 25 years and not only gives an overview of the development of these methods, but also shows new methods and perspectives. The future of this branch of research certainly lies in the development of so-called sensor-controlled therapy helmets for TPBM.

Forschung im Bereich der Laserakupunktur und Lasermedizin

Dieses innovative Projekt im Rahmen einer erfolgreichen chinesisch-österreichischen Kooperation zur Hightech-Akupunktur zwischen der Pekinger Universität für Chinesische Medizin und der Medizinischen Universität Graz befasst sich mit der Förderung eines neuen Forschungsfeldes mit den Bezeichnungen Laserakupunktur und Lasermedizin. Laserakupunktur ist definiert als „Photonische Stimulation von Akupunkturpunkten und Bereichen, um therapeutische Wirkungen zu initiieren, die denen der Nadelakupunktur und verwandten Therapien ähnlich sind, zusammen mit den Vorteilen der PhotoBio-Modulation (PBM)“. Die Praxis der Laserakupunktur scheint in China noch in den Kinderschuhen zu stecken. Daher wird gemeinsam mit dem österreichischen Projektpartner in China, dem Dekan der Pekinger Universität für Chinesische Medizin, eine qualitativ hochwertige Einführung in die Thematik in Peking durchgeführt. Dazu ist bereits vor kurzem der erste lehrbuchspezifische Bericht über Laserakupunktur und innovative Lasermedizin in chinesischer Sprache erschienen. Im Rahmen von Meinungsführer- und Studentendiskussionen und Vorträgen soll das wichtige neue Forschungsfeld evidenzbasiert wissenschaftlich aufgrund der Pandemie „online“ beworben werden. Dies bietet die Chance, bestehende Kooperationen zu intensivieren und gegebenenfalls nach Zeiten der COVID-19-Pandemie neue gemeinsame Forschungsaktivitäten zu starten.

Photobiomodulation Therapy for Dementia: A Systematic Review of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies

BACKGROUND

Photobiomodulation (PBM) involves the use of red and/or near-infrared light from lasers or LEDs to improve a wide range of medical disorders. Transcranial PBM, sometimes accompanied by intranasal PBM, has been tested to improve many brain disorders, including dementia.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines of pre-clinical and clinical studies reporting the use of PBM, which were considered relevant to dementia.

METHODS

Literature was searched between 1967 and 2020 using a range of keywords relevant to PBM and dementia. The light source and wavelength(s), output power, irradiance, irradiation time, fluence or total energy (dose), operation mode (continuous or pulsed) irradiation, approach and site, number of treatment sessions, as well as study outcome(s) were extracted.

RESULTS

Out of 10,473 initial articles, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine articles reported in vitro studies, 17 articles reported studies in animal models of dementia, and 10 studies were conducted in dementia patients. All of the included studies reported positive results. The clinical studies were limited by the small number of patients, lack of placebo controls in some instances, and only a few used objective neuroimaging methods.

CONCLUSION

The preliminary evidence of clinical benefit, the lack of any adverse effects, and the remarkable ease of use, suggest larger clinical trials should be conducted as soon as possible.

History of Laser Acupuncture: A Narrative Review of Scientific Literature

Background: Laser acupuncture is a relatively young modality in the field of acupuncture, used successfully for the treatment of various conditions since the early 1970s. It has, despite its ∼50 years of existence, already a comprehensive history behind it. This review deals with facts of this history and summarizes the most-important milestones. Materials and Methods: Scientific articles from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases served as research documents. In addition, the research on laser acupuncture history included material published in scientific books. Results: A total of 38 listed articles were identified, 7 of which were considered relevant. In addition to a generally recognized definition of laser acupuncture, the beginnings of laser acupuncture and the first clinical applications worldwide, this review also shows the most-important milestones in the development of this discipline. The latter are, of course, the development of laser acupuncture systems, the first clinical studies, the implementation of multichannel laser acupuncture devices with laser-needle technology, and, ultimately, the combination of laser acupuncture with methods from research on photobiomodulation. Conclusions: Although considerable progress has been made in evaluating this innovative method of laser acupuncture, further research is needed in the coming years and decades.