Does Anodyne Light Therapy Improve Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetes?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE -The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of anodyne monochromatic infrared photo energy (MIRE) in-home treatments over a 90-day period to improve peripheral sensation and self-reported quality of life in individuals with diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS -This was a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trail. We randomly assigned 69 individuals with diabetes and a vibration perception threshold (VPT) between 20 and 45 V to two treatment groups: active or sham treatment. Sixty patients (120 limbs) completed the study. Anodyne units were used at home every day for 40 min for 90 days. We evaluated nerve conduction velocities, VPT, SemmesWeinstein monofilaments (SWM) (4-, 10-, 26-, and 60-g monofilaments), the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), a 10-cm visual analog pain scale, and a neuropathyspecific quality of life instrument. We used a nested repeated-measures multiple ANOVA design. Two sites (great toe and fifth metatarsal) were tested on both the left and right feet of each patient, so two feet were nested within each patient and two sites were nested within each foot. To analyze the ordinal SWM scores, we used a nonparametric factorial analysis for longitudinal data.RESULTS -There were no significant differences in measures for quality of life, MNSI, VPT, SWM, or nerve conduction velocities in active or sham treatment groups (P Ͼ 0.05).CONCLUSIONS -Anodyne MIRE therapy was no more effective than sham therapy in the treatment of sensory neuropathy in individuals with diabetes.

Monochromatic Infrared Photo Energy in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

“…Three retrospective observational studies [14][15][16] showed MIPE to be effective based on chart review. Interestingly, a randomized controlled trial of photo energy used at home failed to show the modality to be therapeutically effective [17]. In that particular study, moreover, patients were trained to use a MIPE machine at home and were evaluated before and after 90 days of treatment.…”

Therapeutic Effects of Short-Term Monochromatic Infrared Energy Therapy on Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

“…However, compared to previous research, although the present study provided greater photo energy per treatment, the total duration of treatment was shorter in our study (2 weeks versus 4 weeks to 3 months). 7,18 In addition, our study provided fewer treatment sessions than those of other studies (6 sessions versus 12-90 sessions). 7,18 The effects of phototherapy are time dependent.…”

“…7,18 In addition, our study provided fewer treatment sessions than those of other studies (6 sessions versus 12-90 sessions). 7,18 The effects of phototherapy are time dependent. 6 The MIRE therapy initiates the release of NO, with subsequent biochemical and physiological changes.…”

“…The level of photo energy delivered during MIRE treatment might have affected the study results. Compared to previous studies, in which treatment of 52.0 to 58.5 J/cm 2 was administered, 7,18,19 the current investigation applied 2.08 J/cm 2 /min for each 40-minute treatment session, thus providing a relatively higher total energy of 83.2 J/cm 2 to patients with knee OA. However, even with this higher energy level, ICFrelated variables (eg, pain, other symptoms, activities of daily living, sports and recreation, psychological distress, fatigue, disability, and quality of life) did not demonstrate improvements in the MIRE therapy group compared to the placebo group.…”

“…Participants were asked to remove their socks, shoes, and trousers before lying down on a standard bed for each treatment. The device delivered radiant power at 6.24 W through 8 flexible therapy pads, 5,7,18 each containing 60 superluminous gallium-aluminum arsenide diodes that emitted an 890-nm wavelength of light energy. The current study used 8 therapy pads on both knees, of which 2 were placed over the anterior and posterior joints and 2 over the medial and lateral joints of each knee.…”