Extensively studied. Proven to work.
Clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of intermittent cold and compression therapy (CCT) and PhotoBioModulation. Download some of those studies below.
Clinical Studies: Intermittent cold and compression therapy
Su EP, Perna M, Boettner F, Mayman DJ, Gerlinger T, Barsoum W, Randolph J, Lee G
J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2012 Nov;94(11 Suppl A):153-6.
A cryopneumatic device used after TKA appeared to decrease the need for narcotic medication from hospital discharge to two weeks post-operatively. There was also a trend toward a greater distance walked in the 6MWT. Patient satisfaction with the cryopneumatic cooling regimen was significantly higher than with the control treatment.
#CCT #Knee #Pain #TKA #Post-Op #Multi-Center #Prospective #Randomized #Narcotics
Postoperative cryotherapy after total knee arthroplasty: a prospective study of 86 patients
Kullenberg B, Ylipää S, Söderlund K, Resch S
J Arthroplasty. 2006 Dec;21(8):1175-9.
Mean time in hospital of patients with cold compression averaged 4.8 days vs 6.2 days in the control group. The study shows that cold compression therapy improves the control of pain and might thus lead to improvement in ROM and shorter hospital stay.
#CCT #Knee #Pain #TKA #Post-Op #Prospective #Shorter Hospital Stay #Improved ROM
Murgier J, Cailliez J, Wargny M, Chiron P, Cavaignac E, Laffosse JM
J Arthroplasty. 2017 Sep;32(9):2788-2791.
This is the first report dealing with the use of CCT after rTKA. According to the study’s results, it improves the recovery of patients who underwent rTKA; thus, it should be integrated into daily practice.
#CCT #Knee #Post-Op #rTKA #Recovery
Combination of cold and compression after knee surgery: A prospective randomized study
Schröder D, Pässler HH
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 1994;2(3):158-65.
Twelve weeks after surgery, isokinetic testing was performed, and the functional knee score was determined. In the CC group, significantly less swelling was observed (P<0.035). These patients also reported less pain and had a significantly reduced consumption of analgesics (P<0.04). On all examination days, ROM in the CC group was up to 17° greater than in the ICE group (P<0.02). The functional knee score was significantly increased in the CC group (P=0.025). The results from the study document the advantages of continuous cold-compression therapy over cold alone following ACL reconstruction.
#CCT #Knee #ACL #Post-Op #Pain #Narcotics #ROM #Function
Murgier J, Cassard X
Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2014 May;100(3):309-12.
Dynamic intermittent compression combined with cryotherapy decreases analgesic drug requirements after ACL reconstruction improves the postoperative recovery of range of knee motion.
#CCT #Knee #ACL #Post-Op #Narcotics #ROM
Block JE
Open Access J of Sports Med. 2010 Jul 7;1:105–113.
Studies of total knee arthroplasty, in particular, appear to offer an excellent model for evaluating the effects of cold compression on post-operative outcomes. Of the seven randomized trials evaluated, five concluded that cold compression therapy was superior to alternative treatment modalities for improving clinical outcomes after knee replacement surgery.
#CCT #Injury #Post-Op
Sari Z, Aydoğdu O, Demirbüken I, Yurdalan SU, Polat MG
Pain Res Manag. 2019 May 2:2019:8514808.
According to the results, the authors could report that intermittent pneumatic compression therapy in addition to conventional treatment has significant positive effects on clinical outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis. They could also report that intermittent pneumatic compression therapy along with conventional treatment is superior to cold-pack therapy along with conventional treatment in terms of knee swelling in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
#CCT #Knee #Pain #OA #Randomized #Single-Blind #Edema
Continuous local cooling for pain relief following total hip arthroplasty
Saito N, Horiuchi H, Kobayashi S, Nawata M, Takaoka K
J Arthroplasty. 2004 Apr;19(3):334-7.
The pain scores measured on a visual analog scale between days 1 and 4 following surgery were significantly lower for the cryotherapy group than for the control group. Furthermore, postoperative analgesic use by the cryotherapy group was significantly lower than by the control group. The results of this study support the potential benefit of a cold compressive device for pain reduction during the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing THA.
#CCT #Hip #Pain #THA #Narcotics #Post-Op
Waterman B, Walker JJ, Swaims C, Shortt M, Todd MS, Machen SM, Owens BD
J Knee Surg. 2012 May;25(2):155-60.
Of all patients, 83% of group 1 discontinued narcotic use by 6 weeks, compared with only 28% of group 2 (p = 0.0008). The use of combined cryotherapy and compression in the postoperative period after ACL reconstruction results in improved, short-term pain relief and a greater likelihood of independence from narcotic use compared with cryotherapy alone.
#CCT #Knee #ACL #Pain #Post-Op #Narcotics
Nabıyev VN, Ayhan S, Adhıkarı P, Cetın E, Palaoglu S, Acaroglu RE
Neurospine. 2018 Sep 9;15(4):348–352.
The results of this study demonstrated a positive association between the use of DC therapy and accelerated improvement in patients during early rehabilitation after adult spine surgery compared to patients who were treated with painkillers only.
#Pain #CCT #Post-Op #Spine #Narcotics
Continuous-flow cold therapy after total knee arthroplasty
Morsi E
J Arthroplasty. 2002 Sep;17(6):718-22.
The study compared the range of motion, the volume of Hemovac output and blood loss, visual analog pain score, analgesic consumption, and wound healing in the two limbs of the same patient. This study showed that continuous-flow cold therapy is advantageous after TKA because it provides better results in all the areas compared.
#Pain #CCT #Post-Op #Knee #TKA #ROM #Blood Loss #Narcotics #Wound
Compressive cryotherapy is superior to cryotherapy alone in reducing pain after hip arthroscopy
Klaber I, Greeff E, O’Donnell J
Journal of Hip Preservation Surgery. 2019 Dec; 6(4).
Patients treated with CC after hip arthroscopy reported lower levels of pain during the early post-operative phase and were able to be discharged home sooner when compared with a matched control group receiving ice therapy alone. A trend toward lower opioid analgesia requirement was observed.
#Pain #CCT #Post-Op #Hip #Randomized #Narcotics #Hospital Stay
Cryocompression therapy after elective arthroplasty of the hip
Leegwater NC, Willems JH, Brohet R, Nolte PA
Hip Int. 2012 Sep-Oct;22(5):527-33.
A trend toward less analgesic use, shorter hospital stay, less wound discharge, and less pain at six weeks postoperatively was observed.
#Pain #CCT #Post-Op #Arthroscopy #Narcotics #Hospital Stay
Clinical Studies: PhotoBioModulation
Chow RT, Johnson MI, Lopes-Martins RAB, Bjordal JM
The Lancet. 374(9705):1897-1908.
This study shows that low-level light therapy reduced acute neck pain for up to 22 weeks in patients with chronic neck pain.
#PBM #Neck #Acute Pain #Systematic Review #Meta Analysis #Placebo Controlled
Patellar tendinopathy: Critical analysis review of current nonoperative treatments
Marigi EM, Buckley P, Razi F, Abbas MJ, BS, Jildeh TR, Camp CL, Krych AJ, Okoroha KR
JBJS Rev. 2022 Mar 8;10(3).
This study analyzes the existing literature regarding nonoperative treatment of
patellar tendinopathy and provides additional insight on the effectiveness of current modalities.
#PBM #Foot & Ankle # Pain #Meta Analysis
Chow RT, Heller GZ, Barnsley G
Pain. 2006 Sep;124(1-2):201-10.
A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 90 patients showed that patients treated with PBM achieved significant improvements in neck pain relief.
#PBM #Neck #Pain #Chronic Pain #Placebo Controlled #Randomized #Double Blind
Macias DM, Coughlin MJ, Zang K, Stevens FR, Jastifer JR, Doty JF
J Foot Ankle Surg. 2015 Sep-Oct;54(5):768-72.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of 69 patients examined low-level laser therapy use for the treatment of unilateral chronic fasciitis. Patients who were given low-level laser therapy demonstrated less heel pain.
#PBM #Foot & Ankle #Pain #Chronic Pain #Randomized #Placebo Controlled
Gavish L, Spitzer E, Friedman I, Lowe J, Folk N, Zarbiv Y, Gelman E, Vishnevski L, Fatale E, Herman M, Gofshtein R, Gam A, Gertz SD, Eisenkraft A, Barzilay Y
Lasers Surg Med. 2021 Dec;53(10):1376-1385.
This study was designed to determine whether the addition of PBM to physiotherapy (PT) for AKP in combat soldiers is superior to PT alone. It found the addition significantly reduces pain in the short term and improves long-term functionality.
#PBM #Knee #Pain #VHA #Double Blind #Randomized #Sham Controlled
A NASA discovery has current applications in orthopaedics.
Cotler HB.
Curr Orthop Pract. 2015 Jan;26(1):72-74.
PhotoBioModulation has been actively used for nearly 40 years, during which time it has been known to reduce pain, inflammation, and edema. It also has the ability to promote healing of wounds, including deep tissues and nerves, and prevent tissue damage through cell death. Much of the landmark research was done by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
#PBM #Knee #Pain #Disability #Randomized #Meta Analysis #Placebo Controlled
Simunovic Z, Trobonjaca T, Trobonjaca Z
J Clin Laser Med Surg. 1998 Jun;16(3):145-51.
A multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study with 324 patients treated with PhotoBioModulation showed they achieved significant improvement from pain associated with medial and lateral epicondylitis. Total relief of the pain with consequently improved functional ability was achieved in 82% of acute and 66% of chronic cases.
#PBM #Elbow #Pain #Acute Pain #Chronic Pain #Double Blind #Randomized #Placebo Controlled
Leal-Junior ECP, Johnson DS, Saltmarche A, Demchak T
Lasers Med Sci. 014 Nov;29(6):1839-47.
The study concludes that the combination of super-pulsed laser, red, and infrared LEDs is effective to decrease pain and improve quality of life in patients.
#PBM #Knee #Pain #Double Blind #Randomized #Placebo Controlled
Langella LG, Casalechi HL, Tomazoni SS, Johnson DS, Albertini R, Pallotta RC, Marcos RL, Carvalho PTC, Leal-Junior ECP
Lasers Med Sci. 2018 Dec;33(9):1933-1940.
The results of this study support the hypothesis that PhotoBioModulation therapy applied to the surgical incision in the postoperative period reduces acute pain and inflammation in patients after hip arthroplasty. Previous studies using laser therapy and the visual analog scale as a means of evaluation also reported less pain in the post-surgical period, corroborating the results of this study.
#PBM #Hip #Pain #Acute Pain #Inflammation #LLLT #Randomized #Triple Blind #Placebo Controlled #Healing #Post Op
Blue light kills methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
Enwemeka CS, Williams D, Enwemeka SK, Hollosi S, Yens D
Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Apr;27(2):221-6.
470-nm blue light was found to kill HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA in vitro, which suggests it may have a similar bactericidal effect in human cases of cutaneous and subcutaneous MRSA infections.
#PBM #Infection Control #Kills Bacteria #Kills MRSA
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for neck pain: A systematic review and meta-regression
Gross AR, Dziengo S, Boers O, Goldsmith CH, Graham N, Lilge L, Burnie S, White R
Open Orthop J. 2013 Sep 20;7:396-419.
The study found evidence in favor of LLLT for chronic neck pain indicating further research would be warranted with positive outcomes expected.
#PBM #Neck #Pain #LLLT #Chronic Pain #Systematic Review #Meta Analysis
The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for musculoskeletal pain
Cotler HB, Chow RT, Hamblin MR, Carroll J
MOJ Orthop Rheumatol. 2015;2(5):00068.
For over 40 years, PhotoBioModulation has been shown to reduce inflammation and edema, induce analgesia, and promote healing in a range of musculoskeletal pathologies.
#PBM #Pain #LLLT #Inflammation #Edema #Healing
Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of PhotoBioModulation
Hamblin MR
AIMS Biophys. 2017;4(3):337-361.
Advances in understanding of PBM mechanisms of action at a molecular and cellular level have provided a scientific rationale for its use for multiple diseases.
#PBM #Harvard
Clijsen R, Brunner A, Barbero M, Clarys P, Taeymans J.
Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2017 Aug;53(4):603-610.
This meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on pain in adult patients with musculoskeletal disorders. It found LLLT to be an effective treatment modality and that adherence to WALT dosage recommendations enhances treatment effectiveness.
#PBM #Pain #LLLT #Systematic Review #Meta Analysis
Chow RT, Barnsley L
Lasers Surg Med. 2005 Jul;37(1):46-52.
A search was undertaken from date of inception until February 2004 for randomized controlled trials of LLLT for neck pain. A comprehensive list of search terms was applied and explicit inclusion criteria were developed a priori. Twenty studies were identified, five of which met the inclusion criteria. LLLT with infrared wavelengths appears to be efficacious for the treatment of neck pain with limited evidence being provided from the reviewed trials.
#PBM #Neck #Pain #LLLT #Chronic Pain #Randomized #Meta Analysis
Martins JPS, de Lima CJ, Fernandes AB, Alves LP, Neto OP, Villaverde AB
Lasers Med Sci. 2022 Oct;37(8):3155-3167.
The quality of life, pain intensity relief, shoulder range of motion extension, and muscle
strength force increase are enhanced by adding infrared and red LED irradiation to ultrasound for patients suffering from rotator cuff tendinopathy. The infrared LED irradiation combined with therapeutic ultrasound is a more promising therapy for clinical practice.
#PBM #Shoulder #Pain #Quality of Life #Rotator Cuff
Haslerud S, Magnussen LH, Joensen J, Lopes-Martins RA, Bjordal JM
Physiother Res Int. 2015 Jun;20(2):108-25.
The systematic review and meta-analysis suggests LLLT is a safe and effective treatment alternative for painful shoulder tendons. The clinical benefit does not seem to be limited to LLLT when used as monotherapy. On the contrary, LLLT seems to induce additive effects in terms of reduced pain and a more rapid improvement, even when used as an adjunct to the gold standard of exercise or physiotherapy treatment regimens.
#PBM #LLLT #Shoulder #Pain #Healing #Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of pain relief effects by laser irradiation on joint areas
Jang H, Lee H
Photomed Laser Surg. 2012 Aug;30(8):405-17.
This systematic review investigated the clinical effectiveness of low-level laser therapy
(LLLT) on joint pain. Obtaining pain relief from LLLT might be a good alternative to the use of NSAIDs, particularly for elderly people, because laser therapy has no reported side effects.
#PBM #LLLT #Pain #Systematic Review
Lin YP, Su YH, Chin SF, Chou YC, Chia WT
Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Aug 7;99(32):e21611.
This study suggests LED therapy could be an effective alternative treatment for non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) by reducing pain and fatigue and improving fear-avoidance beliefs, function, and quality of life.
#PBM #Low Back #Pain #Double Blind #Placebo Controlled
PhotoBioModulation of pain in carpal tunnel syndrome: Review of seven laser therapy studies
Naeser MA
Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 Apr;24(2):101-10.
This study documented statistically significant short-term effects of LLLT on patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome in comparison with a placebo group, especially when LLLT is applied in the earlier stages of CTS.
#PBM #Pain #Carpal Tunnel
Ahmed I, Bandpei MAM, Gilani SA, Ahmad A, Zaidi F
J Healthc Eng. 2022 Feb 27;2022:6437523.
LLLT has proven to be an efficient adjunct therapy to conventional physical therapy for discogenic lumbar radiculopathy, demonstrating improvements in local trunk movements, pain intensity, and related functional disability, as compared to conventional physical therapy alone.
#PBM #Low Back #Pain #Double Blind #Placebo Controlled
Huang Z, Ma J, Chen J, Shen B, Pei F, Kraus VB
Arthritis Res Ther. 2015 Dec 15;17:360.
The WMD in visual analog scale (VAS) pain outcome score after treatment was significantly lower in the PBM group compared with placebo. Findings indicate that PBM is an effective method for relieving pain in NSCLBP patients.
#PBM #LLLT #Low Back #Pain #Systematic Review #Meta Analysis
Effects of low-power light therapy on the tissue repair process of chronic wounds in diabetic feet
de Alencar Fonseca Santos J, Campelo MBD, de Oliveira RA, Nicolau RA, Rezende VEA, Arisawa EÂL
Photomed Laser Surg. 2018 Jun;36(6):298-304.
When used on chronic foot wounds for patients with diabetes, LITT demonstrated efficacy on tissue repair progression in a short period.
#PBM #LLLT #Foot #Healing #Chronic Wounds #Diabeties
Biological effects of low-level laser therapy
Farivar S, Malekshahabi T, Shiari R
J Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Spring;5(2):58-62.
This review covers some of the proposed cellular mechanisms responsible for the effect of visible light on mammalian cells, including cytochrome c oxidase [with absorption peaks in the near infrared (NIR)].
#PBM #LLLT #Cellular Biology #NO
The impact of wavelengths of LED light-therapy on endothelial cells
Rohringer S, Holnthoner W, Chaudary S, Slezak P, Priglinger E, Strassl M, Pill K, Mühleder S, Redl H, Dungel P
Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 6;7(1):10700.
Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is a promising and fast-expanding physical approach in various medical fields, especially to reduce pain and inflammation and support tissue regeneration. Numerous in vivo studies indicated a positive effect of LLLT by laser light on wound healing associated with enhanced angiogenesis.
#PBM #LLLT #Pain #Healing #Inflammation #Wound Healing #Systematic Review
The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy
Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR
Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Feb;40(2):516-33.
Advances in design and manufacturing of LLLT devices in the years to come will continue to widen the acceptability and increase adoption of the therapy among the medical profession, physical therapists, and the general public. While the body of evidence for LLLT and its mechanisms is still weighted in favor of lasers and directly comparative
studies are scarce, ongoing work using non-laser irradiation sources is encouraging and provides support for growth in the manufacture and marketing of affordable home-use LED devices. The almost complete lack of reports of side effects or adverse events associated with LLLT gives security for issues of safety that will be required.
#PBM #LLLT #No Side Effects
Bahrami H, Moharrami A, Mirghaderi P, Mortazavi SMJ
Arthroplast Today. 2022 Dec 5;19:101066.
In the early stages of recovery after total knee arthroplasty, LLLT and Bioptron light therapy could be helpful to control immediate and acute knee pain and swelling, reduce the need for opioids, improve ROM and functional scores, and improve recovery.
#PBM #LLLT #Knee #Pain #Swelling #Healing #Reduction in Opioids #Post Op #Randomized
Effects of low-power light therapy on wound healing: LASER x LED
Chaves ME, Araújo AR, Piancastelli AC, Pinotti M
An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Jul-Aug;89(4):616-23.
The reviewed studies show that phototherapy, either by LASER or LED, is an effective therapeutic modality to promote healing of skin wounds.
#PBM #Healing #Wound
PhotoBioModulation therapy: A possible answer to the opioid crisis
Ross G
Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019 Nov;37(11):667-668.
This brief article explores how PhotoBioModulation has provided pain relief in a variety of patient need states. Its author, a dentist, says PhotoBioModulation has eliminated use of narcotic pain prescriptions in his practice.
#PBM #Pain