Asthma and Laser Therapy
(2 Studies)
Low-intensity laser radiation in therapy of bronchial asthma
Ostronosova NS. Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult.
2006 Mar-Apr;(2):8-10.
Efficacy of low-intensity laser radiation (LR) was studied by changes in a histamine level in peripheral blood and external respiration function (ERF). A total of 228 patients with exogenic bronchial asthma (EBA) were divided into two groups: 167 patients with nonhormone dependent asthma (group 1) and 61 patients with hormone-dependent bronchial asthma (group 2).
Low-intensity LR lowered a histamine level and improved ERF in both group 1 and 2. A definite negative correlation was found between histamine content and ERF parameters. Laser therapy alone is effective in mild EBA. For moderate and severe EBA and hormone-dependent bronchial asthma a combination of conventional drug therapy with low-intensity LR is recommended.
PMID: 16752817 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Low power laser biostimulation in the treatment of bronchial asthma
Kuruc V. Milojevic M,
Med Pregl. 2003 Sep-Oct;56(9-10):413-8.
[Article in Serbian]
Institut za plucne bolesti, Sremska Kamenica, Medicinski fakultet, Novi Sad.
[email protected]
INTRODUCTION:
Modern concept of acupuncture is based on the fact there are designated
locations on the surface of human body, which are related to
integrative systems of an organism by means of sensory nerves,
correlating and synchronizing organ functioning, depending on external
and internal conditions, by means of nervous and neurohumoral
regulation of metabolic and regenerative processes, including also
mobilisation of immunological, protective and antistress reactions.
Apart from standard needle acupuncture, other methods of stimulating
acupuncture points are also applied. Due to invention of low power
lasers, irradiation laser acupuncture has been introduced into routine
medical practice, characterised by painless and aseptic technique and
outstanding clinical results.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
The investigation was aimed at defining therapeutic effects of
low power laser irradiation by stimulating acupuncture points or local
treatment of asthma. A prospective analysis included 50 patients
treated at the Institute of Pulmonary Diseases in Sremska Kamenica
during 2000, 2001 and 2002. Together with conservative treatment of
present disease, these patients were treated with laser stimulation of
acupuncture points in duration of ten days. During treatment changes of
functional respiratory parameters were recorded. Results were compared
with those in the control group. The control group consisted of the
same number of patients and differed from the examination group only by
not using laser stimulation.
RESULTS:
Patients with bronchial asthma presented with significant improvement
(p < 0000,5) of all estimated lung function parameters just 30
minutes after laser stimulation. Improvements achieved on the third and
the tenth day of treatment were significantly higher (p < 0.001 to p
< 0.00005) in the examination group in comparison with the control
group. Further investigation confirmed that improvement of measured
lung function parameters was significantly higher in younger patients,
in patients whose disease lasted shorter, as well as in women. Patients
with asthma, who were treated every three months for a one year period,
presented with significantly lower frequency and intensity of attacks.
DISCUSSION:
The mechanism of laser stimulation activity in treatment of
bronchial asthma is explained in detail, correlating our results to
those obtained by other authors.
CONCLUSIONS:
A ten-day course of low-power laser stimulation of acupuncture points
in patients with bronchial asthma improves both the lung function and
gas exchange parameters. Positive effects of laser treatment in
patients with bronchial asthma are achieved in a short time and they
last long, for several weeks, even months. Successive laser stimulation
in asthmatics prolongs periods of remission and decreases the severity
of asthmatic attacks. Better positive effects of laser stimulation are
achieved in younger asthmatics, in those with shorter disease history
and in female patients. There is a negative correlation between effects
of laser stimulation and patients' age and disease history. However,
these characteristics do not affect response rate and speed but
positive laser stimulation effects are achieved in a shorter period in
female asthmatics.
PMID: 14740529 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]