Probable positive effects of the photobiomodulation as an adjunctive treatment in COVID-19: A systematic review

Nejatifard, Marzieh; Asefi, Sohrab; Jamali, Raika; Hamblin, Michael R.; Fekrazad, Reza

doi:10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155312

Cited by 38 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…[34][35][36][37][38][39] Recent publications and systematic reviews provide the theory and potential mechanism of action of PBMT in fighting COVID-19. 14,18,[40][41][42][43] Our experience in treating pain, inflammation and respiratory conditions motivated this trial to use PBMT in COVID-19 patients. COVID-19 continues to claim lives while some of the patients who recover show long-term sequelae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Adjunctive Photobiomodulation (PBMT) for COVID-19 Pneumonia via Clinical Status and Pulmonary Severity Indices in a Preliminary Trial

Vetrici¹,

Mokmeli²,

Bohm³

et al. 2021

JIR

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Evidence-based and effective treatments for COVID-19 are limited, and a new wave of infections and deaths calls for novel, easily implemented treatment strategies. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a well-known adjunctive treatment for pain management, wound healing, lymphedema, and cellulitis. PBMT uses light to start a cascade of photochemical reactions that lead to local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects at multiple levels and that stimulate healing. Numerous empirical studies of PBMT for patients with pulmonary disease such as pneumonia, COPD and asthma suggest that PBMT is a safe and effective adjunctive treatment. Recent systematic reviews suggest that PBMT may be applied to target lung tissue in COVID-19 patients. In this preliminary study, we evaluated the effect of adjunctive PBMT on COVID-19 pneumonia and patient clinical status. Patients and Methods: We present a small-scale clinical trial with 10 patients randomized to standard medical care or standard medical care plus adjunctive PBMT. The PBMT group received four daily sessions of near-infrared light treatment targeting the lung tissue via a Multiwave Locked System (MLS) laser. Patient outcomes were measured via blood work, chest x-rays, pulse oximetry and validated scoring tools for pneumonia. Results: PBMT patients showed improvement on pulmonary indices such as SMART-COP, BCRSS, RALE, and CAP (Community-Acquired Pneumonia questionnaire). PBMT-treated patients showed rapid recovery, did not require ICU admission or mechanical ventilation, and reported no long-term sequelae at 5 months after treatment. In the control group, 60% of patients were admitted to the ICU for mechanical ventilation. The control group had an overall mortality of 40%. At a 5-month follow-up, 40% of the control group experienced long-term sequelae. Conclusion: PBMT is a safe and effective potential treatment for COVID-19 pneumonia and improves clinical status in COVID-19 pneumonia.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Adjunctive Photobiomodulation (PBMT) for COVID-19 Pneumonia via Clinical Status and Pulmonary Severity Indices in a Preliminary Trial

Vetrici¹,

Mokmeli²,

Bohm³

et al. 2021

JIR

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“…12 In the pathophysiology of COVID-19, a non-invasive therapeutic modality able to decrease the IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα and MCP-1 proinflammatory cytokines would reduce the fatality rate of the disease. 27,28 The complications of an overreacting immune system, particularly in populations at risk with underlying comorbidities, may also lead to critical complications, as vascular hyperpermeability and multi-organ injuries, abnormal coagulation parameters and micro-thrombosis having been described in hospitalized patients. 29 PBMT is here described using two wavelengths, 630 nm and 660 nm, from a dual RL emitter (Triwings LS ® , Biophoton) with a spectral shift of +15 nm, both wavelengths remaining in the visible spectrum, yet the second approaching the near-infrared (NIR) range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a recent case report, IR‐PBMT at peak powers 808 nm and 905 nm has enabled the cytokine storm's management in a COVID‐19 patient 12 . In the pathophysiology of COVID‐19, a non‐invasive therapeutic modality able to decrease the IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, TNFα and MCP‐1 proinflammatory cytokines would reduce the fatality rate of the disease 27,28 . The complications of an overreacting immune system, particularly in populations at risk with underlying comorbidities, may also lead to critical complications, as vascular hyperpermeability and multi‐organ injuries, abnormal coagulation parameters and micro‐thrombosis having been described in hospitalized patients 29 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early cases of acute infectious respiratory syndrome treated with photobiomodulation, diagnosis and intervention: Two case reports

Pelletier-Aouizerate

Zivic

2021

Clinical Case Reports

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A worldwide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome emerged in 2019 and developed in a pandemic of COVID-19. This respiratory βeta-coronavirus is characterized by the severity of its complications, that is acute pulmonary inflammation, pneumonia, lung fibrosis and organ dysfunction, ultimately inducing fatality. Scientists worldwide have focused on finding medication and vaccine for fighting the viral disease, yet its high transmission and mutagenicity renders international efforts challenging. Drugs may also not be the only approach. Previous animal studies on pulmonary infectious diseases and a recent case report of a COVID-19 patient with comorbidities demonstrated the mitigation of inflammatory processes addressed with Infrared Photobiomodulation therapy (IR-PBMT). Here, we report the use of PBMT at different wavelengths and treatment parameters on two patients with acute infectious respiratory syndrome, who may represent early COVID-19 patients in the United Kingdom and France. This case report's dissemination to the broader scientific community is of interest for PBMT was successfully applied according to clinical presentation, double-blind to COVID-19 diagnosis. Two females, mean age 60, manifested signs of acute respiratory infection at the end of 2019. According to the CARE checklist, we retrospectively collected data from patients and screening laboratories to ascertain epidemiological and symptomatologic aspects and reported clinical, laboratory, radiological, scanner and immunology findings. Both patients experienced at the onset of illness fever, burning feeling in the throat, throbbing cough, myalgia, severe fatigue, headache, loss of taste, dyspnoea and pneumonia signs. Symptoms aggravated into chest tightness and respiratory difficulties. One patient experienced diarrhoea and cutaneous manifestations. Patients received PBMT with non-coherent red light (RL) 630 nm and 660 nm, significantly improving oxygenation, respiratory function and inflammatory syndrome, avoiding emergency care. This case report demonstrates the potential clinical value of PBMT in mitigating inflammation, improving respiratory distress and oxygenation at early stages of COVID-19 and in other infectious lung diseases, preventing viral infections complications. It also expands our knowledge on RL and its positive effects

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“…Die einzige bislang veröffentlichte systematische übersichtsarbeit zur Thematik PBM und COVID-19 wurde im Jänner 2021 von Nejatifard u. Mitarb. [ 9 ] veröffentlicht und beinhaltet insgesamt 17 relevante Artikel. Wichtig scheint hier anzumerken, dass es sich dabei ausschließlich um Arbeiten an Tiermodellen handelt.…”

Section: Diskussion Und Zukunftsaspekteunclassified

“…PBM war im Stande, die Sauerstoffversorgung indirekt zu erhöhen, um die betroffenen Organe zu regenerieren. Die Autor*innen empfehlen, Infrarotlaser oder LEDs zu verwenden [ 9 ].…”

Section: Diskussion Und Zukunftsaspekteunclassified

Photobiomodulation und COVID-19

Litscher

2021

Akupunkt Aurikulomed

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Die Zahl hochrangiger Publikationen zur Photobiomodulation steigt weltweit überproportional an und es ist daher auch leicht nachvollziehbar, dass die Therapieoption auch bei der Behandlung von COVID-19 als komplementäres Verfahren zur Pandemiebekämpfung methodisch erweitert und getestet werden soll. Um den gegenwärtigen Stand des Wissens zur Thematik zu erheben, wurde eine aktuelle Recherche zu klinischen laufenden Forschungsprojekten und den ersten vorliegenden Ergebnissen initiiert. Seitens der gewählten Methode wurde dabei die Variante einer möglichen selbst durchführbaren „Heim-Behandlung“ in den Fokus der Recherche gestellt. Drei aktuelle Studiendesigns sollen in diesem Übersichtsreport näher beschrieben und diskutiert werden. Die drei beschriebenen Studienvorhaben entsprechen zwar nicht alle den seitens einer „good scientific practice“ notwendigen Anforderungen, sollen aber dennoch aufgrund der Aktualität hier kurz vorgestellt werden. Wenngleich die Designs durchaus wissenschaftlich beurteilbare Ergebnisse erwarten lassen, kann derzeit (noch) kein wissenschaftlicher Schluss gezogen werden, dass sich die drei Verfahren zur Behandlung von COVID-19 als geeignet erweisen. Gründe dafür sind, dass bei zwei der drei Studien noch keine Ergebnisse vorliegen und eine Pilotstudie grobe formale wissenschaftliche Mängel aufweist, die es gilt, in Folgeuntersuchungen zu vermeiden.

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Probable positive effects of the photobiomodulation as an adjunctive treatment in COVID-19: A systematic review

Cited by 38 publications

References 52 publications

Evaluation of Adjunctive Photobiomodulation (PBMT) for COVID-19 Pneumonia via Clinical Status and Pulmonary Severity Indices in a Preliminary Trial

Evaluation of Adjunctive Photobiomodulation (PBMT) for COVID-19 Pneumonia via Clinical Status and Pulmonary Severity Indices in a Preliminary Trial

Early cases of acute infectious respiratory syndrome treated with photobiomodulation, diagnosis and intervention: Two case reports

Photobiomodulation und COVID-19

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