Effects of Laser Acupuncture Therapy for Patients With Inadequate Recovery From Bell’s Palsy: Preliminary Results From Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study

Introduction: Inadequate recovery from Bell’s palsy exists in a third of patients and results in physical and social impairments. The controversial nature of existing medical treatment options means that novel, alternative approaches are needed. In basic and clinical studies, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven successful in regenerating peripheral nerves. Laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) is a rapidly growing treatment modality; however, its effectiveness for treating chronic Bell’s palsy is unknown. The feasibility of this innovative approach is the focus of this pilot study. Methods: A two-armed, parallel, randomized, investigator-subject-assessor-blinded, sham-controlled pilot study was conducted, and 17 eligible subjects were randomly allocated to either LAT (n=8) or sham LAT (n=9). The LAT group received three treatments each week for six weeks (18 sessions), while the sham LAT group received the same procedure but with a sham laser device. The change from baseline to week 6 in the social subscale of the Facial Disability Index (FDI) was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were changes in the House-Brackmann facial paralysis scale (HB), the Sunnybrook facial grading system (SB) and a stiffness scale at weeks 3 and 6. Results: A significant difference was shown in the HB score (P=0.0438) between baseline and week 3 and borderline significance was observed in both SB and stiffness scores from baseline to week 6 (P=0.0598 and P=0.0980 respectively). There was no significant difference in the FDI score between baseline and week 6. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this clinical trial is the first such investigation on this topic. Our findings suggest that using LAT may have clinical effects on long-term complications of Bell’s palsy and justify further large-scale studies.

Traditional Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture in Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Nonspecific neck pain is a multifactorial and very common condition in adult individuals. No reports were found in the literature comparing the effectiveness of Traditional Acupuncture (TA) and Laser Acupuncture (LA) in cases of chronic nonspecific neck pain. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of TA and LA therapies in individuals with chronic nonspecific neck pain.Methods/design: This study will be a controlled and randomized clinical trial. A total of 60 individuals will be randomized into two groups (30 each). The TA group will receive the acupuncture treatment using needles, while the LA group will receive the laser acupuncture treatment. The acupuncture points (Tianzhu, Fengchi, Jianjing, and Jianzhongshu) will be stimulated bilaterally with needles or laser. The primary outcome will be pain intensity, determined using the numerical rating scale. The secondary outcomes will be pressure pain threshold, temporal summation of pain, conditioned pain modulation, use of analgesic drugs after treatment, and the global perceived effect scale. The assessments will be performed immediately before and after treatment. At the follow-up, 1 months after the end of the treatments, evaluation will be made of the pain intensity and the global perceived effect. Statistical analysis of the data obtained will consider a significance level of p < 0.05.Discussion: This study will provide evidence concerning the effects of LA treatment, in comparison to TA, leading to benefits for individuals suffering from chronic nonspecific neck pain.Trial registration: RBR-7vbw5gd (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials - ​ReBEC)

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.

Use of Laser Acupuncture in Chronic Tensional Headache: Randomized Clinical Trial

Since tension headache, besides being highly prevalent, has a deleterious effect on daily activities, the search for therapeutic resources is interesting. Thus, the objective of this study was to verify the effect of laser acupuncture in individuals with chronic tensional headache. The sample consisted of 14 volunteers with chronic tensional headache, separated into a control group (placebo) and an intervention group (laser acupuncture, 660nm, 10 J/cm²), in both groups the pen was positioned for 20 seconds in each of the six acupuncture points. There were three therapies on alternate days, and at the end there was previous evaluation by both the Visual Analog Pain Scale and the Headache Impact Test questionnaire. In both forms of evaluation there were significant differences in the comparison between evaluations, with reduction of values (p<0.001), but without differences between groups or interaction (p>0.05). It was concluded that the acupuncture laser showed no greater effectiveness than the placebo. Keywords: Tension-Type Headache. Acupuncture Points. Meridians. Resumo Visto que a cefaleia tensional, além de apresentar alta prevalência, tem um efeito deletério sobre as atividades diárias, apresenta-se interessante a busca por recursos terapêuticos. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito do laser acupuntura em indivíduos com cefaleia tensional crônica. A amostra foi composta por 14 voluntários, com cefaleia tensional crônica, separados em grupo controle (placebo) e grupo intervenção (laser acupuntura, 660nm, 10 J/cm²), em ambos os grupos a caneta foi posicionada por 20 segundos em cada um dos seis pontos de acupuntura. Foram três terapias em dias alternados, sendo que houve avaliação prévia e ao final delas tanto pela Escala Visual Analógica de Dor quanto pelo questionário Headache Impact Test. Em ambas as formas de avaliação houve diferenças significativas na comparação entre avaliações, com redução dos valores (p<0,001), porém sem diferenças entre os grupos ou interação (p>0,05). Conclui-se que o laser acupuntura não mostrou eficácia superior ao placebo. Palavras-chave: Cefaleia do Tipo Tensional. Pontos de Acupuntura. Meridianos.

Effects of laser therapy versus laser acupuncture on rheumatoid arthritis elderly patients

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is regarded as the commonest and one of most known inflammatory arthritis. Our study was to determine the effects of laser therapy and laser acupuncture therapy on RA elderly patients. Subjects and Methods Forty patients with age of 65 to 75 years were being randomly allocated to 2 groups. Group(A) included twenty participants having RA treated via low level laser therapy. Group(B) included twenty participants having RA treated via laser acupuncture. All the patients underwent treatment by methotrexate. Treatments were provided three times each week to the two groups for twelve weeks.Independent laboratory technician and statistician were blinded to the study groups. Results There was significant reduction in scores of RAQoL questionnaire pre as well as post treatments for both the groups, with p<0.05. For HAQ questionnaire, significant difference was in the group treated with laser acupuncture. The IL-6 inflammatory marker had a significant reduction in pre as well as post treatments in only the group treated with laser acupuncture, with p < 0.05. In the MDA marker, it had a significant reduction in both groups for pre as well as post treatments. There was also a significant increase to the ATP antioxidant marker in pre as well as post treatments for both the groups, p<0.05. Conclusions This study suggested that the laser acupuncture can offer promising therapeutic benefits to assess in rheumatoid arthritis treatments; those therapeutic effects might be from inflammation reduction and oxidation stress alleviation, in addition to improvements in the antioxidants and energy status for RA patients.

Effects of Laser Acupuncture on Constipation in Patients With Advanced Cancer: Study Protocol for a Double-blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundConstipation is a common, uncomfortable, and frustrating complication in patients with advanced cancer which in turn affects the patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of laser acupuncture on constipation.MethodsThis is a prospective, single-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial study. A sample of 74 participants will be randomly assigned to either the verum or the sham laser acupuncture group in a 1:1 ratio. The participants will receive laser acupuncture or sham laser acupuncture once a day for consecutive six days on eight acupoints (LI4, LI11, PC6, ST36, ST37, ST39, SP4, and SP9). The number of complete spontaneous bowel will be used primarily for the evaluation, and symptoms of constipation, comfort levels during defecation, and colonic motility will be also be measured. Data will be analyzed using the chi-square test or t-test. Analysis of covariance will be used to examine the differences on symptoms of constipation between two groups and adjusted for their respective baseline levels. DiscussionThis trial may provide evidence for improving the short-term benefit for advanced cancer patients by relieving the symptoms caused by constipation. As a result, further reduce the usage of medications, and lower the side effects due to medications.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04318808. Registered on 24 March 2020.