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JLS_PT_OCS -> Re: Neuropathy - Light Treatment (March 4, 2005 8:57:00 AM)
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Randy, I'm afraid you will be disappointed at the following abstract...it again measured the effect in diabetics, but found no difference. It's a placebo controlled trial as well.
Here it is:
The effect of monochromatic infrared energy on sensation in patients with peripheral neuropathy: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
SESSION TYPE: Poster;
SESSION TOPIC: Clinical Electrophysiology;
Abstract Details
AUTHORS (ALL): Clifft, Judy1; Newton, Scott1; Kasser, Richard1.
INSTITUTIONS (ALL): 1. Physical Therapy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
ABSTRACT BODY:
Purpose/Hypothesis : Monochromatic infrared energy (MIRE) is a relatively new modality purported to increase circulation and decrease pain, but the most recent studies suggest that MIRE may be effective in improving sensation in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to determine if the application of MIRE to the lower extremity (LE) of patients with peripheral neuropathy was associated with improved pressure sensation. Our research hypothesis was that the average number of sites that patients could sense the 5.07 Semmes-Weinstein (S-W) monofilament would increase in the active treatment group when compared to the placebo group.
Number of Subjects : Eighty-two LEs of 48 patients with self-reported diabetes met the inclusion criteria. Patients who were unable to sense the 5.07 S-W monofilament at any of 4 test sites on the plantar foot were considered to have peripheral neuropathy and were included in the study.
Materials/Methods : Four MIRE therapy units were provided and labeled A or B by the manufacturer: 2 treatment units delivered 1.95 J/cm2/min when activated and 2 placebo units delivered no energy when activated. However, the indicator lights illuminated on all units when the intensity switch was in the "on" position to ensure blinding of both patients and therapists during the data collection period. Patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment from either machine A or B. Four flexible therapy pads from the MIRE unit were placed above the ankle and on the plantar foot of each subject; each pad contained 60 superluminous infrared diodes. Treatments were administered for 30 minutes, 3 days/week for 4 weeks. Sensation was tested with S-W monofilaments at 4 sites on the plantar foot at the beginning of the study (M1), following 4 weeks of treatment (M2), and after an additional 4 weeks of non-treatment (M3). The number of sites that could sense the 5.07 monofilament was totaled at M1, M2, and M3. These data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA followed by a post-hoc Tukey's test.
Results : The average number of sites that patients could sense the 5.07 monofilament increased for both the active and placebo groups at M2 and M3 (M3>M2>M1), but no significant differences were found between the active and placebo groups at M1, M2, and M3.
Conclusions : Thirty minutes of active MIRE applied 3 days/week for 4 weeks was no more effective than placebo MIRE in increasing the number of sites that patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy could sense the 5.07 monofilament on the plantar foot.
Clinical Relevance : Clinicians should be aware that MIRE, as applied in this study, may not be effective in improving pressure sensation in patients with diabetic neuropathy.
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Latest and greatest, I guess....
Jason
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