The recent outbreak of COVID-19, which continues to ravage communities with high death tolls and untold psychosocial and catastrophic economic consequences, is a vivid reminder of nature's capacity to defy contemporary healthcare. The pandemic calls for rapid mobilization of every potential clinical tool, including phototherapy—one of the most effective treatments used to reduce the impact of the 1918 “Spanish influenza” pandemic. This paper cites several studies showing that phototherapy has immense potential to reduce the impact of coronavirus diseases, and offers suggested ways that the healthcare industry can integrate modern light technologies in the fight against COVID-19 and other infections. The evidence shows that violet/blue (400–470 nm) light is antimicrobial against numerous bacteria, and that it accounts for Niels Ryberg Finsen's Nobel-winning treatment of tuberculosis. Further evidence shows that blue light inactivates several viruses, including the common flu coronavirus, and that in experimental animals, red and near infrared light reduce respiratory disorders, similar to those complications associated with coronavirus infection. Moreover, in patients, red light has been shown to alleviate chronic obstructive lung disease and bronchial asthma. These findings call for urgent efforts to further explore the clinical value of light, and not wait for another pandemic to serve as a reminder. The ubiquity of inexpensive light emitting lasers and light emitting diodes (LEDs), makes it relatively easy to develop safe low-cost light-based devices with the potential to reduce infections, sanitize equipment, hospital facilities, emergency care vehicles, homes, and the general environment as pilot studies have shown.

Original Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7194064/

Considering the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and potential positive effects of PBM in balancing the function of the immune system, this treatment modality could be effective in severe COVID-19 cases with ARDS. COVID-19 mortality is mainly because of cytokine storm in severe cases. PBM has the potential to decrease the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improve the balance of IL-10. These effects can balance immune response and decrease the impact of cytokine storm. PBM is mainly local and has very limited adverse side effects . Unlike corticosteroids, it does not cause delayed body response to virus elimination, secondary infection, or longer hospitalization period. This hypothesis is mainly based on theoretical data. The authors suggest that researchers should assess the potentials of this treatment method as it might save the lives of severely affected patients.

Intro: COVID-19 is now a worldwide concern, causing an unprecedented pandemic. The infected cases show different symptoms based on the severity of the disease. In asymptomatic and non-severe symptomatic cases, the host immune system can successfully eliminate the virus and its effects. In severe cases, however, immune system impairment causes cytokine release syndrome which eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In recent years, photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown promising results in reducing acute pulmonary inflammation. Considering the high potential impact of PBM on immune responses, we hypothesized that using PBM could be an effective treatment modality for ARDS management in COVID-19 patients.

Background: In the final days of 2019, China reported the emergence of an unknown pathogen causing pneumonia-like symptoms in the infected cases in Wuhan, Hubei. On January 7, 2020, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention detected the origin as a novel virus from the Coronaviridae family. World Health Organization (WHO) soon confirmed that human to human transmission of the virus has led to a worldwide “pandemic” [1]. The virus was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Coronaviridae is a large family of enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus [2]. Based on the genome structure and phylogenetic relationships, this family is further categorized into four groups; Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. Alpha and Betacoronaviruses are specific to mammals and cause respiratory diseases in humans, namely Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Delta and Gammacoronaviruses cause infection in both mammals and birds [3]. Genetic analysis revealed that SARS-CoV-2 is most probably in the Betacoronavirus category [4]. The infected cases show different symptoms based on the severity of the disease. In asymptomatic and non-severe symptomatic cases, the host immune system can successfully eliminate the virus and its effects. In severe cases, however, immune system impairment causes cytokine release syndrome which eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [5]. One of the treatment strategies is to eliminate inflammatory response in the host. Although some medications such as immunosuppressants have this effect, they cause delayed body response to virus elimination [6]. To address this issue, alternative treatment modalities for inflammation elimination are urgently needed. One such potential treatment is photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT). PBM is an alternative modality for local management of increased inflammation, which has been used from 50 years ago [7]. It is defined as a low power laser or light-emitting diode (LED) in the range of 1–500 mW utilized to promote tissue regeneration and decrease inflammation and pain. A narrow spectral width light in red or near infra-red range (600–1000 nm) with 1–5000 mW/cm2 power density is used in PBM [8]. PBM can change cellular and molecular metabolism, signaling, inflammation, and chemical messenger release. It has shown promising results in reducing acute pulmonary inflammation, as they have a high potential for the local balance of immune responses [9]. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to hypothesize that using PBM could be an effective treatment modality for ARDS management in COVID-19 patients.

Original Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7688201/

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with lung inflammation and cytokine storm. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a safe, non-invasive therapy with significant anti-inflammatory effects. Adjunct PBMT has been employed in treating patients with lung conditions. Human studies and experimental models of respiratory disease suggest PBMT reduces inflammation and promotes lung healing. This is the first time supportive PBMT was used in a severe case of COVID-19 pneumonia

Results: This report has presented a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia associated with ARDS who was given supportive treatment with PBMT. Based on this case report, as well as clinical experience of PBMT in respiratory tract diseases in humans, we consider PBMT to be a feasible adjunct modality for the treatment of COVID-19. There is published experimental work demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effect of PBMT on lung tissue. We suggest that the use of adjunct PBMT in the early stages of severe ARDS seen in COVID-19 patients can enhance healing and reduce the need for prolonged ventilator support and ICU stay. The urgent current medical situation calls for PMBT pilot studies and clinical trials to evaluate its effect on COVID-19 pneumonia. This patient is part of an ongoing investigational randomized controlled trial.

Conclusions: This case report showed that 4 daily sessions of adjunct PBMT were beneficial in a patient with severe COVID-19 symptoms. The patient’s positive response to treatment was supported by radiological findings, pulmonary severity scores, oxygen requirements, blood and inflammatory markers, and patient questionnaires. On follow-up, his clinical recovery in total was 3 weeks, whereas the median time for COVID-19 is typically 6–8 weeks [30]. The therapeutic effects of PBMT on pneumonia are thought to occur via local and systemic effects that reduce inflammatory cytokines, cellular infiltrates, edema and fibrosis, and increase anti-inflammatory cytokines and processes, and promote healing. Local PBMT affects the entire body when photoproducts are distributed via the vasculature to reach distant targets. Activated photoproducts lead to alleviation of inflammation and immunomodulatory effects, and stimulate wound healing and tissue regeneration [4]. Animal studies illustrate the potency of PBMT. Transcutaneous PBMT in murine models for pulmonary fibrosis and ARDS significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cells, and collagen fiber deposition in lung parenchyma [14–18]. In contrast, the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, serum monocytes, and lung macrophages were significantly increased following PBMT [15,17]. The molecular basis of MLS laser anti-inflammatory effects has been demonstrated in murine and in vitro models [31–33]. In particular, it has been shown to inhibit inflammasome activation, inhibiting ... whose downstream signaling induces the production of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor , and .., which are implicated in ARDS caused by COVID-19 infection [14–18,31–33]. Human trials have shown local and systemic effects of PBMT when applied to quadriceps muscle in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [10]. Beneficial effects extended beyond improved muscular performance, to statistically significant reductions in dyspnea and fatigue [10]. Our patient also reported subjective feelings of improved respiratory function and strength. Our patient was only placed in the prone position for the duration of laser treatment. Treatments lasted exactly 28 min for each of the 4 days. Physiological evidence and clinical trial data support the use of prone position ventilation in selected patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS. For patients to benefit, the use of long prone positioning sessions of 12 h to 18 h per session are necessary [34,35]. An increase in SpO2 from 94% to 100% occurred within the first 5 min of treatment, and the patient maintained good saturation thereafter. This finding shows the rapid effect of PBMT treatment on oxygen saturation. It is unlikely that prone positioning alone was the reason for improved oxygenation, given the minimal time in that position. A strength of this case report is that we collected patient symptom data before and after treatment. All 4 pulmonary scoring tools and the 3 patient questionnaires demonstrated the benefit of treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first time that PBMT was used as adjunctive treatment for pneumonia in a COVID-19 patient. Irradiation over the posterior projection of the lungs, using the scanning method, has no risk of contamination since the scanning laser does not physically touch the patient. A deficiency of our study is the lack of inflammatory markers and blood tests. Future studies should include measurements before and after treatment of ...., as well as additional inflammatory markers. A limitation of this case report is that this is a single patient and we were unable to carry out any statistical analysis.

Original Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7449510/

Welcome to the BioPhotonica Education Center. There are over 5000 successful studies showing the efficacy of PBM, light therapy and sound therapy. This is a searchable collection of technical publications, books, videos and other resources about the best practices in the industry and about treating a wide variety of problems. All the resources include links to the original source (where available) so we are not making any claims about the use of our technology for treating "non-FDA cleared" applications, we are simply summarizing what the expert are saying about proper application of these technologies.

Enter a keyword above and click on one of the following links to see a set of publications about that subject. HINT: Shorter keywords work better.

Here are some of our favorite queries:

• Whole Body Systems
• Treating Post Covid with PBMT
• Info for beginners (See several graphic representation of the PBM chemical process)
• Best wavelength for light therapy (980nm vs. 810nm vs 660nm...)
• Pulsing Versus continuous wave
• Dosage: Searching for the best practices for dosage
• Great summary of positive double blind studies

Testimonials

• Amazing results
• Video testimonials from patients
• Video testimonials from doctors
• Incredible results in animals
• Increasing athletic performance

Research Info for other Applications

• Stem cell production in laser therapy
• Cosmetic and skin therapy parameters
• Laser acupuncture
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Soft Tissue Injury
• Fertility and Reproductive Health

Autoimmune Research

• Lyme's Disease
• Parkinson's research
• Alzheimer's research
• Hashimoto's research

Contraindications

• LLLT and Cancer

This tool uses a broad match query so:

• It does not correct spelling and searches only PBM related subjects so do not use LLLT, cold or laser in the search bar
• It works better with shorter search terms or even parts of search terms
• It searches all the available fields so you can enter a body part, author, condition or laser brand.
• This system is only for photobiomodulation or cold laser therapy research (including LLLT, laser acupuncture and high power laser therapy) only. It does NOT include photodynamic laser therapy (where the laser is used to react with a pharmaceutical), hot surgery lasers or cosmetic therapies.

Welcome to the Lighthouse Health Education Center. There are over 5000 successful studies showing the efficacy of PBM, light therapy and sound therapy. This is a searchable collection of technical publications, books, videos and other resources about the best practices in the industry and about treating a wide variety of problems. All the resources include links to the original source (where available) so we are not making any claims about the use of our technology for treating "non-FDA cleared" applications, we are simply summarizing what the expert are saying about proper application of these technologies.

Enter a keyword above and click on one of the following links to see a set of publications about that subject. HINT: Shorter keywords work better.

Here are some of our favorite queries:

• Whole Body Systems
• Treating Post Covid with PBMT
• Info for beginners (See several graphic representation of the PBM chemical process)
• Best wavelength for light therapy (980nm vs. 810nm vs 660nm...)
• Pulsing Versus continuous wave
• Dosage: Searching for the best practices for dosage
• Great summary of positive double blind studies

Testimonials

• Amazing results
• Video testimonials from patients
• Video testimonials from doctors
• Incredible results in animals
• Increasing athletic performance

Research Info for other Applications

• Stem cell production in laser therapy
• Cosmetic and skin therapy parameters
• Laser acupuncture
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Soft Tissue Injury

Autoimmune Research

• Lyme's Disease
• Parkinson's research
• Alzheimer's research
• Hashimoto's research

Contraindications

• LLLT and Cancer

This tool uses a broad match query so:

• It does not correct spelling and searches only cold laser related subjects so do not use LLLT, cold or laser in the search bar
• It works better with shorter search terms or even parts of search terms
• It searches all the available fields so you can enter a body part, author, condition or laser brand.
• This system is only for photobiomodulation or cold laser therapy research (including LLLT, laser acupuncture and high power laser therapy) only. It does NOT include photodynamic laser therapy (where the laser is used to react with a pharmaceutical), hot surgery lasers or cosmetic therapies.