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Light-based therapy reduces pain associated with peripheral diabetic neuropathy, study concludes (Red light @ 890 nm) (25 notícias)

Publicado em 23 de novembro de 2024

Skip to comments. Posted on 11/23/2024, 6:20:30 AM by ConservativeMind

A study has concluded that the use of monochromatic infrared light in conjunction with conventional physical therapy is a promising alternative for the treatment of peripheral diabetic neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that most often affects the legs and feet, and one of the most frequent, insidious and incapacitating complications of diabetes.

Pharmacological treatment is usual in this case, but other therapeutic possibilities can help relieve the discomfort without the side effects caused by drugs, such as dry mouth, postural hypotension and urinary retention.

"The lives and functionality of people with diabetes are so severely damaged by the problem that we set out to develop a novel approach. We eventually decided to study photobiomodulation as an alternative to combat the pain caused by diabetic neuropathy," Kusahara said.

A group of 144 patients with peripheral diabetic neuropathy who attended public health clinics in São Paulo state, took part in the study.

The participants were divided randomly into two subgroups. One was treated with 890 nanometer monochromatic infrared light associated with physical therapy involving electrotherapy and kinesiotherapy (treatment by passive and active muscular movements). The other was a control group, which received the same physical therapy without the light treatment.

Both groups were given 18 treatment sessions and followed up for ten weeks. Pain was evaluated four times using instruments and scales validated for this purpose.

"The results of the evaluations performed 30 days and six weeks after the end of the intervention showed that both pain and sleep quality improved for the volunteers submitted to light application and physical therapy, especially in the case of people with intense pain," Kusahara said.

The researchers believe the treatment can be used right away, in various clinical contexts, including outpatient units, primary care facilities, and specialized pain management centers.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com

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