• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.373-379
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• 2011

Current therapeutic methods for suppressing muscle spasticity are intensive functional training, surgery, or pharmacological interventions. However, these methods have not been fully supported by confirmed efficacy due to the aggravation of the muscle spasticity in some patients. In this study, a combined system was developed to treat with a low-level laser and to monitor the region of the treatment using an optical spectroscopic probe that measures oxygen saturation and deoxygenation during low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The evaluation of the wavelength dependence for LLLT was performed using a Monte Carlo simulation and the results showed that the greatest amount of heat generation was seen in the deep tissue at ${\lambda}$ = 830 nm. In the oxy- and deoxygenation measurements during and after the treatment, oxygen-Hb concentration was significantly increased in the laser-irradiated group when compared to the control group. These findings suggest that LLLT using ${\lambda}$ = 830 nm may be of benefit in accelerating recovery of muscle spasticity. The combined system that we have developed can monitor the physiological condition of muscle spasticity during the laser treatment in real time and may also be applied to various myotonia conditions such as muscle fatigue, back-pain treatment/monitoring, and ulcer due to paralysis.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2019

Background: Dental procedures commonly involve the injection of local anesthetic agents, which causes apprehension in patients. The objective of dental practice is to provide painless treatment to the patient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in reducing the pain due to local anesthetic injection. Materials and Methods: A prospective, split-mouth study was conducted on 25 patients. In Condition A, LLLT was administered followed by the administration of a standard local anesthetic agent. Patients' perception of pain with use of LLLT was assessed based on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In Condition B, LLLT was directed to the mucosa but not activated, followed by the administration of local anesthesia. VAS was used to assess the pain level without the use of LLLT. Results: Comparison between Condition A and Condition B was done. A P value < 0.001 was considered significant, indicating a definite statistical difference between the two conditions. Conclusion: In our study, we observed that LLLT reduced pain during injection of local anesthesia. Further multi-centric studies with a larger sample size and various modifications in the study design are required.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.147-151
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• 2016

Tibial defect, or fracture is very routine musculoskeletal case which brings fully uncomfortable and painful situations to patient. Moreover, it has long hospitalization period because of its risk of non-union. There are many studies using ultrasound, vibration, and laser for bone regeneration to figure out fast bone healing. Among them, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is already known that it is very easy to treat and may have positive effect for bone regeneration. However, LLLT has uncertain energy dose because of scattering and absorption of laser in tissue. In this study, we used interstitial LLLT to treat tibial defect in animal study. The Interstitial LLLT can overcome some limitations caused by laser scattering or absorption in tissue medium. The results were evaluated using u-CT which can calculate X-ray attenuation coefficient and bone volume of bone defect area. These results showed that interstitial LLLT may affect fast bone healing process in early phase.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-19
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• 2021

Low-level laser therapy including laser acupuncture (LLLT/LA) has been widely used for non-specific chronic low back pain (NCLBP). However, there is no critically appraised evidence of its potential benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT/LA for NCLBP. There were 12 databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, KoreaMed, KMBASE, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, OASIS, CNKI, CiNII, J-stage) searched for randomized controlled trials using LLLT/LA for NCLBP up until June 2019. The primary outcome was pain intensity and functional status/disability due to NCLBP. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on 20 studies involving 1,323 participants. LLLT/LA showed a significant positive effect on pain relief scores compared with sham treatments (SMD -0.51, 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.13; χ2 = 31.12, I2 = 74%). Alone, the therapy showed a significant positive effect on function/disability scores (30 participants, MD -11.90, 95% CI: -17.37 to -6.43). As an add-on treatment, it showed a significant positive effect on pain relief (80 participants, MD -5.10, 95% CI: -9.31 to -0.88; χ2 = 28.99, I2 = 97%) and improved function/disability scores (120 participants, MD 5.44, 95% CI: 2.19 to 8.68; χ2 = 4.07, I2 = 75%). Among 20 studies, 9 studies reported no adverse events and 1 study reported mild adverse events. LLLT/LA may be an alternative or add-on treatment for NCLBP.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disease. On the other hand, there is no treatment that can improve the thyroid function. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can improve the cellular activity. The effect of hypothyroidism is not obvious. This study examined the effects of LLLT on the thyroid gland function of a propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism mouse model. Materials and Methods Twenty-five male ICR mice were distributed into five groups of five animals each: Negative control (none PTU animal) and positive control (PTU animal) of unirradiated animals, and three experimental groups with LLLT (3J, 6J, and 12J). Each mouse was exposed to a distinct dose of a 632-nm laser once a week for three rounds. The positive control group and three LLLT groups were induced into a hypothyroidism state by PTU administration. The animals' thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine levels were measured using an ELISA kit, and their thyroid tissue was harvested and analyzed after sacrifice at the end of the experiment. The hormone level and morphological changes in the tissue of the five groups were compared. Results The thyroid hormone levels in the control group and LLLT groups were similar. On the other hand, the thyroid tissue of the LLLT groups showed some morphological changes that were similar to those of iodine deficiency thyroid. Conclusion LLLT did not affect the thyroid gland function in PTU-induced hypothyroidism mice.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

Background: Myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome (MPDS) is the most common type of temporomandibular disorder. This study compared the efficacies of low-level diode laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in the treatment of MPDS. Methods: This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial included 24 patients with MPDS who were randomly divided into two equally sized groups. Patients in the LLLT group received 12 sessions of low-level diode laser irradiation applied to the trigger points of the masticatory muscles during 1 month. The same protocol was also used in the LAT group according to the specific trigger points. We measured pain intensity and maximum mouth opening in both groups at baseline, during treatment, and 2 months after treatment completion. Results: The pain intensities decreased from 6.58±1.31 to 0.33±0.65 and from 7.08 ± 1.37 to 0 in the LLLT and LAT groups, respectively. The maximum mouth openings increased from 32.25 ± 8.78 mm to 42.58 ± 4.75 mm and from 33 ± 6.57 mm to 45.67 ± 3.86 mm in the LLLT and LAT groups, respectively. Pain intensity (P = 0.839) and level of maximum mouth opening (P = 0.790) did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: Our results showed similar efficacy between LLLT and LAT in the treatment of MPDS signs and symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.183-192
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical effects of low level laser therapy on shoulder pain. Methods : From October 1, 2009 to November 14, 2009, we applied 15 participants who consented to an assignment had a shoulder pain to low level laser therapy(LLLT). We treated LLLT 8 times on both upper trapezius, levator scapular, pectoralis, suboccipital, rhomboid, rotator cuff tender point for 2 weeks. To evaluate the efficiency of low level laser therapy, we used questionnaire of shoulder pain symptom, questionnaire of a day living discomfort scale, shoulder pain and disability index(SPADI) and pressure pain threshold(PPT) at before treatment and after treatment 4 times and 8 times. Results : There was a significant difference in questionnaire of shoulder pain symptom, questionnaire of a day living discomfort scale, SPADI and PPT after 8th treatment. Conclusions : Low level laser therapy for shoulder pain is effective to improve patients' symptoms measured with questionnaire of pain and a day living discomfort score, SPADI and PPT significantly.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.50-58
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• 2019

Background and Objectives Low-level light therapy (LLLT) is an application of low-power light for various purposes such as promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, causing analgesia, etc. A previous study suggested the effect of light emitting diode (LED) light with the wavelength of 740 nm for promoting wound healing of corneal epithelial cells. This current study aimed to confirm the effect of LLLT for managing inflammation of a dry eye disease (DED) mouse model. Materials and Methods A total of 50C57BL/6 female mice were randomly grouped into 5 groups to compare the effect of LLLT:1) Control group, 2) Only LLLT group, 3) Dry eye group, 4) LLLT in dry eye group, and 5) Early treatment group. DED was induced with 4 daily injections of scopolamine hydrobromide and desiccation stress for 17 days, and LLLT at 740 nm was conducted once every 3 days. To analyze the effect of LLLT on the DED mouse model, tear volume, corneal surface irregularities, and fluorescence in stained cores were measured, and the level of inflammation was assessed with immunohistochemistry. Results The DED mouse model showed significant deterioration in the overall eye condition. After LLLT, the amount of tear volume was increased, and corneal surface irregularities were restored. Also, the number of neutrophils and the level of inflammatory cytokines significantly decreased as well. Conclusion This study showed that LLLT at 740 nm was effective in controlling the corneal conditions and the degree of inflammation in DED. Such findings may suggest therapeutic effects of LLLT at 740 nm on DED.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2009

The concept of biostimulation of wounds by low-level laser therapy(LLLT) is attracting considerable attention. Although its effect on whole tissues has been studied quite extensively, the biological and cellular mechanisms underlying LLLT have not been clarified. In an experimental radius fracture in rabbits, Tang and Chai reported that LLLT enhanced the activity of red blood cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and osteoclasts within the fracture area. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser device on bone healing in rabbit mandibular fractures. We use 12 rabbits for this study. All rabbits were fractured mandible angle area using saw in anesthetic condition. In control group(n=6), none treatment was performed at fracture site. In experimental group(n=6), LLLT with a GaAlAs diode laser was radiated at fracture site daily for 7 days. All rabbits were sacrificed at 6 weeks later from performed fracture day. We studied the immunohistochemical staining of CD34 and Vimentin and the histochemical analysis for calcium and phosphorus content. The results were as follows. 1. In the histological and immunohistological staining, after 6week, fibroblasts, osteogenic cells and collgen fibers were observed more in experimental group than in control group. 2. In the histochemical analysis, the amount of calcium and phosphorus contents of the experimental group were more than the control group. From the results obtained, we suggest that the bone healing is stimulated by low-level laser irradiation in bone fractures.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2022

In this study, we tried to investigate the efficacy of combined light therapy using low-power lasers at 655 nm and LEDs emitting wavelengths at 625 ± 5 nm and 850 ± 10 nm in hair loss and scalp. A total of 33 subjects were enrolled in this clinical trial. Each subject used the LLLT and LED device on the scalp for 10 min on a daily basis for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of LLLT and LED device use, there were significant improvements in redness, elasticity, and hydration of the scalp. Additionally, hair luster and tensile strength were improved. A remarkable decrease in total shed hairs was observed in all subjects at 4, 8, and 12 weeks without any serious adverse event. Combined light therapy using LLLT and LEDs proved to be an effective treatment for reducing hair loss and improving scalp condition.