Adjunct low level laser therapy (LLLT) in a morbidly obese patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report

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 Introduction: COVID-19 poses a higher risk of complications in obese patients due to low respiratory system compliance, increased inflammatory cytokines, and an activated immune system secondary to excess adiposity. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has significant anti-inflammatory effects and reduces inflammatory cytokines. It is noninvasive and approved for pain management and musculoskeletal injuries. Data from human and experimental animal models of respiratory tract disease suggests that LLLT reduces inflammation and promotes lung healing. 

Case and outcomes: A morbidly obese 32-year-old Asian female with severe COVID-19 received four consecutive once-daily LLLT sessions via a laser scanner. Pulsed 808 nm and 905 nm laser beams were delivered over the posterior chest for 28 min. The patient was evaluated before and after LLLT by radiological assessment of lung edema (RALE) on chest X-ray, oxygen requirements and saturation, pneumonia severity indices (SMART-COP and Brescia- COVID), blood inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, ferritin, and C-Reactive protein (CRP)). Prior to treatment, oxygen saturation (SpO2) via pulse oximetry was 88%–93% on 5–6 L oxygen. Following LLLT, SpO2 increased to 97%–99% on 1–3 L oxygen. Reductions in RALE score from 8 to 3, Brescia- COVID from 4 to 0, and SMART-COP from 5 to 0 were observed. Interleukin-6 decreased from 45.89 to 11.7 pg/mL, ferritin from 359 to 175 ng/mL, and CRP from 3.04 to 1.43 mg/dL. Post-treatment, the patient noted appreciable improvement in respiratory symptoms. 

Conclusion: Following LLLT our patient showed improvement over a few days in respiratory indices, radiological findings, inflammatory markers, and patient outcomes. This report suggests that adjunct LLLT can be safely combined with conventional treatment in patients with severe COVID-19 and morbid obesity. 

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

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ABSTRACT

Background: COVID-19, as a newly-emerged viral infection has now spread all over the world after originating in Wuhan, China. Pneumonia is the hallmark of the disease, with dyspnea in half of the patients and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in up to one -third of the cases. Pulmonary edema, neutrophilic infiltration, and inflammatory cytokine release are the pathologic signs of this disease. The anti-inflammatory effect of the photobiomodulation (PBM) has been confirmed in many previous studies. Therefore, this review study was conducted to evaluate the direct effect of PBM on the acute lung inflammation or ARDS and also accelerating the regeneration of the damaged tissues. The indirect effects of PBM on modulation of the immune system, increasing the blood flow and oxygenation in other tissues were also considered.

Methodology: The databases of PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar were searched to find the relevant studies. Keywords included the PBM and related terms, lung inflammation, and COVID-19 -related signs. Studies were categorized with respect to the target tissue, laser parameters, and their results.

Results: Seventeen related papers were included in this review. All of them were in animal models. They showed that the PBM could significantly decrease the pulmonary edema, neutrophil influx, and generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), reactive oxygen species (ROS), isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2)).

Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the PBM could be helpful in reducing the lung inflammation and promoting the regeneration of the damaged tissue. PBM can increase the oxygenation indirectly in order to rehabilitate the affected organs. Thus, the infra-red lasers or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are recommended in this regard.

Keywords: COVID-19; Laser therapy; Low-level laser therapy; Photobiomodulation; SARS Cov2; Virus.

 

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Photobiomodulation Therapy Combined With Static Magnetic Field in Patients With COVID-19

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by a novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The most characteristic symptom of patients with COVID-19 is respiratory distress, leading to inability to sustain spontaneous breathing. In addition, patients with COVID-19 have dyspnea and respiratory muscle fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to use strategies that minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the respiratory muscles, accelerating the ventilatory weaning process and optimizing the functional capacity of the involved muscles.

wcg CenterWatch

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First successful PBM treatment for COVID-19

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This report has presented supportive PBMT in a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Respiratory indices, radiological findings, oxygen requirements, and patient outcomes improved over several days and without need for a ventilator.

American Journal of Case Reports

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The effects of SARS-CoV-2 on alveolar cell and cytokine storm.

Low level laser therapy as a modality to attenuate cytokine storm at multiple levels, enhance recovery, and reduce the use of ventilators in COVID-19

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The global pandemic COVID-19 is a contagious disease and its mortality rates ranging from 1% to 5% are likely due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and cytokine storm. A significant proportion of patients who require intubation succumb to the disease, despite the availability of ventilators and the best treatment practices. Researchers worldwide are in search of anti-inflammatory medicines in the hope of finding a cure for COVID-19. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has strong, anti-inflammatory effects confirmed by meta-analyses, and it may be therapeutic to ARDS.

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Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of COVID-19

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Until now there is no vaccine or reliable treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic. The fundamental mechanisms of non-invasive low-level laser in photobiomodulation (PBM) and photodynamic therapy is to stimulate the mitochondrial respiratory chain where a transient release of non-cytotoxic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) will lead to positive modulation of the immune response. As previous studies mentioned that the most important strategy for COVID-19 management is oxygenation and faster rehabilitation of the damaged tissue, antiviral effects, and, finally, reduction or controlling the cytokine storm by reducing inflammatory agents. PBM may be used as adjuvant therapy or even an alternative therapy in all these mechanisms without side effects and drug interactions.

Cairo University

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Light as a potential treatment for pandemic coronavirus infections

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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.

PubMed.gov

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Pennsylvania’s Independence Led Lighting And Quietmind Foundation Fast-Track Solutions For Nasal And Full Body Infrared Led Photobiomodulation To Stop The Progression Of Covid-19

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Independence LED Lighting announces today its collaboration with the QuietMIND Foundation, a public non-profit applied research foundation and outpatient healthcare practice to fast track development of low-cost, self-administered and easily deployed infrared (IR) phototherapy devices to enhance the immune system’s ability to stop the progress of COVID-19.

Independence LED Lighting
QuietMIND Foundation

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