Category Archives: Research

ALD PBM Symposium – October 14, 2020 Session

Posted on 18 October 2020 by Ian

James Carroll, FRSM, CEO | THOR Photomedicine Ltd, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom

Photobiomodulation for Orofacial Pain

Photobiomodulation (PBM) has many applications in dentistry with clinical trial evidence published for a wide range of painful pathologies, including postoperative pain, aphthous ulcers, orthodontic pain, burning mouth syndrome, postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, stomatitis, oral mucositis, dentin hypersensitivity, temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and neck pain. PBM can also be used to desensitize teeth and even induce anesthesia.

How does PBM do this, what is the evidence, and how does one treat a patient? What treatment parameters (wavelength, power, beam area, irradiance, pulses, treatment time, energy and fluence) are required for a successful treatment? How much PBM is enough, how much is too much, how many treatments are needed, what intervals are required between treatment? What are the contraindications and treatment reactions, and are there any adverse effects? This presentation will address these issues.

Educational Objectives

Posted in Industry, Research, Video of the Week | on ALD PBM Symposium – October 14, 2020 Session

RIP Dr Kevin Moore who died last week 15 July 2020

Posted on 20 July 2020 by James Carroll

Dr Kevin MooreKevin was a husband, father, anaesthetist, chronic pain specialist, researcher, a fun, kind and generous man.

He was a vital founding member of the World Association for Laser Therapy (WALT) and a long-standing cheerleader for Photobiomodulation (PBM) as it is now known.

As well as being Consultant Anaesthetist at The Royal Oldham Hospital UK, Kevin was medical director at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

Kevin also had the thankless task of being the WALT treasurer for many years. His leadership and steady hand ensured the organisation survived several problematic periods.

All who met him will remember his warmth, humour and generosity of spirit. 

He will be forever memorialised in my LLLT/PBM presentations as he researched and published two of my favourite PBM papers of all time (abstracts below and links to … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | on RIP Dr Kevin Moore who died last week 15 July 2020

Talking Evidence with THOR Photomedicine

Posted on 28 August 2019 by Ian

THOR Photomedicine work with leading universities and hospitals around the world, providing up to date research data and cutting edge knowledge on training courses. This 2 minute video gives you a small taste/overview of what you can expect attending our one day Photobiomodulation workshop course.

Register today for our comprehensive training and equip yourself with the tools to relieve pain.

Posted in Industry, James in Action, PBM/LLLT, Research, THE FUTURE OF PBM/LLLT, Training, Video of the Week | on Talking Evidence with THOR Photomedicine

Training with THOR Photomedicine

Posted on 21 August 2019 by Ian

THOR Photomedicine provide the best Photobiomodulation (PBM) / low level laser therapy (LLLT) training in the world. This 2 minute video gives you a small taste/overview of what you can expect attending our one day Photobiomodulation workshop course.

View current photobiomodulation therapy training dates in your location.

Posted in Industry, James in Action, PBM/LLLT, Research, THE FUTURE OF PBM/LLLT, Training, Video of the Week | on Training with THOR Photomedicine

PBM Therapy Literature Watch February 2018

Posted on 29 August 2018 by James Carroll

36 Photobiomodulation therapy papers published in February 2018. Highlights include:

  • DNA repair mechanisms, modulation of telomere maintenance
  • Improved motor response in patients with spinal cord injury
  • Prevention of < grade 2 radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients (RCT)
  • No adverse effects on SCC primary cancer, recurrence or survival
  • Improved physiological and performance parameters in runners
  • Improved depth of anaesthesia during endodontic treatment
Posted in Research | on PBM Therapy Literature Watch February 2018

PBM Therapy Literature Watch January 2018

Posted on 24 May 2018 by James Carroll

27 Photobiomodulation therapy papers published in January 2018. Highlights include:

  • Treatment 6h before + immediately before exercise best for reducing muscle fatigue
  • Review of pre-clinical data for dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, trauma and depression
  • Improved bacteriological, cytological and clinical benefits after root planing (RCT)
  • Improved wound healing of skin graft donor site (RCT)
  • Systematic review of RCTs on  LED PBM therapy in dermatology
  • NSAIDs vs PBM Therapy post root canal (RCT)
  • ESWT vs PBM Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis (RCT)
  • Effect of PBM on cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism are not thermal
Posted in Research | on PBM Therapy Literature Watch January 2018

American College of Physicians Guidelines include a “strong recommendation” for Low-Level Laser Therapy as a non-invasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute & Chronic Low Back Pain

Posted on 4 May 2017 by Ian

Abstract source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=28192789

Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians.

Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA, Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians

From the American College of Physicians and Penn Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

DESCRIPTION: The American College of Physicians (ACP) developed this guideline to present the evidence and provide clinical recommendations on noninvasive treatment of low back pain. Methods: Using the ACP grading system, the committee based these recommendations on a systematic review of randomized, controlled trials and systematic reviews published through April 2015 on noninvasive pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for low back pain. Updated searches were performed through November 2016. Clinical outcomes evaluated included reduction or elimination of low back pain, improvement in back-specific and overall function, improvement in health-related quality of life, reduction in work disability and return to work, global improvement, number of back pain episodes or time between … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | on American College of Physicians Guidelines include a “strong recommendation” for Low-Level Laser Therapy as a non-invasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute & Chronic Low Back Pain