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Hi Tom,

 

I saw these today; LLLT is not TENS, but both methods often are used for

similar clinical conditions.

 

Best regards,

Phil

 

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Kujawa, J.; Zavodnik, L.; Zavodnik, I.; Buko, V.; Lapshyna, A.; Bryszewska, M.

Effect of low-intensity (3.75-25 J/cm2) near-infrared (810 nm) laser radiation

on

red blood cell ATPase activities and membrane structure. J Clin Laser Med

Surg 2004 22 (2) Apr, 111-7. Dept of Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz,

Lodz, Poland. jkujawa OBJECTIVE: The biostimulation and

therapeutic effects of low-power laser radiation of different wavelengths and

light

doses are well known, but the exact mechanism of action of the laser radiation

with living cells is not yet understood. The aim of the present work was to

investigate the effect of laser radiation (810 nm, radiant exposure 3.75-25

J/cm(2)) on the structure of protein and lipid components of red blood cell

membranes and it functional properties. The role of membrane ATPases as

possible targets of laser irradiation was analyzed. BACKGROUND DATA: A

variety of studies both in vivo and in vitro showed significant influence of

laser

irradiation on cell functional state. At the same time another group of works

found no detectable effects of light exposure. Some different explanations

based on the light absorption by primary endogenous chromophores

(mitochondrial enzymes, cytochromes, flavins, porphyrins) have been proposed

to describe biological effects of laser light. It was suggested that

optimization of

the structural-functional organization of the erythrocyte membrane as a result

of

laser irradiation may be the basis for improving the cardiac function in

patients

under a course of laser therapy MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human red

blood cells or isolated cell membranes were irradiated with low-intensity laser

light (810 nm) at different radiant exposures (3.75-25 J/cm(2)) and light powers

(fluence rate; 10-400 mW) at 37 degrees C. As the parameters characterizing

the structural and functional changes of cell membranes the activities of

Na(+)-,

K(+)-, and Mg(2+)-ATPases, tryptophan fluorescence of membrane proteins

and fluorescence of pyrene incorporated into membrane lipid bilayer were used.

RESULTS : It was found that near-infrared low-intensity laser radiation changes

the ATPase activities of the membrane ion pumps in the dose- and fluence rate-

dependent manner. At the same time no changes of such integral parameters

as cell stability, membrane lipid peroxidation level, intracellular reduced

glutathione or oxyhaemoglobin level were observed. At laser power of 10 mW,

an increase of the ATPase activity was observed with maximal effect at 12-15

J/cm(2) of light dose (18-26% for the total ATPase activity). At laser power of

400 mW (fluence rate significantly increased), inhibition of ATPases activities

mainly due to the inhibition of Na(+)-, K(+)-ATPase was observed with maximal

effect at the same light dose of 12-15 J/cm(2) (18-23% for the total ATPase

activity). Fractionation of the light dose significantly changed the membrane

response to laser radiation. Changes in tryptophan fluorescent parameters of

erythrocyte membrane proteins and the increase in lipid bilayer fluidity

measured by pyrene monomer/excimer fluorescence ratio were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Near-infrared laser light radiation (810 nm) induced long-term

conformational transitions of red blood cell membrane which were related to the

changes in the structural states of both erythrocyte membrane proteins and

lipid bilayer and which manifested themselves as changes in fluorescent

parameters of erythrocyte membranes and lipid bilayer fluidity. This resulted in

the modulation of membrane functional properties: changes in the activity of

membrane ion pumps and, thus, changes in membrane ion flows.

 

Gaida, K.; Koller, R.; Isler, C.; Aytekin, O.; Al-Awami, M.; Meissl, G.; Frey,

M.

Low Level Laser Therapy--a conservative approach to the burn scar? Burns

2004 30 (4), 362-7. Dept of Reconstructive and Plastic Surgery, Burn Unit,

Division of Surgery, University of Vienna, Austria. Burn scars are known to be

difficult to treat because of their tendency to worsen with hypertrophy and

contracture. Various experimental and clinical efforts have been made to

alleviate their effects but the problem has not been solved. Since patients keep

asking for Low Level Laser Therapy ( LLLT ) and believe in its effectiveness on

burn scars, and since former studies show contradictory results of the influence

of LLLT on wound healing, this prospective study was designed to objectify the

effects of LLLT on burn scars. Nineteen patients with 19 burn scars were

treated with a 400 mW 670 nm Softlaser twice a week over 8 weeks. In each

patient a control area was defined, that was not irradiated. Parameters

assessed were the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) for macroscopic evaluation

and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pruritus and pain. Photographical and

clinical assessments were recorded in all the patients. Seventeen out of 19

scars exhibited an improvement after treatment The average rating on the VSS

decreased from 7.10+/-2.13 to 4.68+/-2.05 points in the treated areas, whereas

the VSS in the control areas decreased from 6.10+/-2.86 to 5.88+/-2.72. A

correlation between scar duration and improvement through LLLT could be

found. No negative effects of LLLT were reported. The present study shows that

the 400 mW 670 nm softlaser has a positive, yet sometimes limited effect on

burn scars concerning macroscopic appearance, pruritus, and pain.

 

Stergioulas, A. Low-level laser treatment can reduce edema in second degree

ankle sprains. J Clin Laser Med Surg 2004 22 ( 2) Apr, 125-8. Faculty of

Human Motion, University of Peloponnese, Attica, Greece. asterg

OBJECTIVE: Low-level laser therapy ( LLLT ) has been used for the last few

years to treat sports injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare three

therapeutic protocols in treating edema in second degree ankle sprains that did

not require immobilization with a splint, under placebo-controlled conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven soccer players with second degree

ankle sprains, selected at random, were divided into the following groups: The

first group (n = 16) was treated with the conventional initial treatment (RICE,

rest, ice, compression, elevation), the second group (n = 16) was treated with

the RICE method plus placebo laser, and the third group (n = 15) was treated

with the RICE method plus an 820-nm GaA1As diode laser with a radiant power

output of 40 mW at 16 Hz. Before the treatment , and 24, 48, and 72 h later,

the volume of the edema was measured. RESULTS : A three by three repeated

measures ANOVA with a follow up post hoc test revealed that the group treated

with the RICE and an 820-nm GaA1As diode laser presented a statistically

significant reduction in the volume of the edema after 24 h (40.3 +/- 2.4 mL, p

60 0.01), 48 h (56.4 +/- 3.1 mL, p 60 0.002), and 72 h (65.1 +/- 4.4 mL, p 60

0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LLLT combined with RICE can reduce edema in

second-degree ankle sprains.

 

Acupuncture and endorphins. Han, J. S. Neurosci Lett 2004 361 (1-3) May 6,

258-61 Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University and Key

Laboratory of Neuroscience (Peking University), Ministry of Education, 38 Xue-

Yuan Road, Beijing 100083, PR China. hanjisheng Acupuncture

and electroacupuncture (EA) as complementary and alternative medicine have

been accepted worldwide mainly for the treatment of acute and chronic pain.

Studies on the mechanisms of action have revealed that endogenous opioid

peptides in the central nervous system play an essential role in mediating the

analgesic effect of EA. Further studies have shown that different kinds of

neuropeptides are released by EA with different frequencies. For example, EA

of 2 Hz accelerates the release of enkephalin, beta-endorphin and

endomorphin, while that of 100 Hz selectively increases the release of

dynorphin. A combination of the two frequencies produces a simultaneous

release of all four opioid peptides, resulting in a maximal therapeutic effect

This

finding has been verified in clinical studies in patients with various kinds of

chronic pain including low back pain and diabetic neuropathic pain.

 

Yip, Y. B.; Tse, S. H. The effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and

acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain

in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial. Complement Ther Med 2004 12 (1)

Mar, 28-37. School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The

Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, PR China.

hsvyip PUBLICATION COUNTRY- Scotland LANGUAGE-

English OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with

electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil

(lavender) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical

functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low

back pain. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: The community

centre, Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association, Hong Kong.

Intervention: 8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure

with lavender oil over a 3-week period. The control group received usual care

only. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline to the end of treatment

were assessed in pain intensity (by Visual Analogue Scale) and duration;

lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres; walking time and

interference

on daily activities. RESULTS : The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and

control groups were 6.38 (S.E.M. = 0.22) and 5.70 (S.E.M. = 0.37) out of 10,

respectively ( P=0.24 ). One week after the end of treatment , the intervention

group had 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group (

P=0.0001 ), improved walking time ( P=0.05 ) and greater lateral spine flexion

range ( P=0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that 8-sessions of

acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an

effective method for short-term LBP relief. No adverse effects were reported. To

complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP, the combined

therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender

oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of

LBP.

 

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Best regards,

 

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