RIP Dr Kevin Moore who died last week 15 July 2020

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 some PDFs).

I have converted some of his slides into this 4 minute movie and managed to lay some audio over it which was recorded about 20 years ago. Given this is one of the worst kinds of pain any one can suffer it is remarkable that such a simple tool can achieve such good results.

So thank you to Kevin for your contribution to the world, and our condolences to Jill, his wife and his children. Kevin was a special man, I know he will be missed. 

His local new paper reports his death here https://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/139/main-news/135491/tributes-paid-to-muchloved-dr-moore

Other newspaper reports about Kevin https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/easing-the-burden-for-patients-in-pain-1134114

and here https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/18581644.tributes-flow-passing-former-dr-kershaws-medical-director/

ABSTRACTS WITH PDF LINKS BELOW

THE EFFECT OF INFRARED LASER IRRADIATION (LLLI) ON THE DURATION AND SEVERITY OF POSTOPERATIVE PAIN: A DOUBLE BLIND TRIAL

Kevin C. Moore, Naru Hira, Ian J. Broome* and John A. Cruikshank

Departments of Anaesthesia and General Surgery, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Oldham, U.K *Department of Anaesthesia, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, U.K., General Practitioner, Pennymeadow Clinic, Ashton-under-Lyne, U.K.

This trial was designed to test the hypothesis that LLLT reduces the extent and duration of postoperative pain. Twenty consecutive patients for elective cholecystectomy were randomly allocated for either LLLT or as controls. The trial was double blind. Patients for LLLT received 6- 8-min treatment (GaAlAs: 830 nm: 60 mW CW: CM) to the wound area immediately following skin closure prior to emergence from GA. All patients were prescribed on demand postoperative analgesia (IM or oral according to pain severity). Recordings of pain scores (0-10) and analgesic requirements were noted by an independent assessor. There was a significant difference in the number of doses of narcotic analgesic (IM) required between the two groups. Controls n = 5.5: LLLT n = 2.5. No patient in the LLLT group required IM analgesia after 24 h. Similarly the requirement for oral analgesia was reduced in the LLLT group. Controls n = 9: LLLT n = 4. Control patients assessed their overall pain as moderate to severe compared with mild to moderate in the LLLT group. The results justify further evaluation on a larger trial population

Laser Therapy, 4: 145-150. 1992

Moore KC 1992 The Effect of Infrared Laser Irradiation (LLLI) on the Duration and Severity of Postoperative Pain- A Double Blind Trial Laser Therapy 1992.pdf

A DOUBLE BLIND CROSSOVER TRIAL OF LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF POSTHERPETIC NEURALGIA

Moore, K.C., Hira, N., Kumar, P.S., Jayakumar, C.S., and Ohshiro, T

Postherpetic. neuralgia can be an extremely painful condition which in many cases proves resistant lo all the accepted forms of treatment. It is frequently most severe in the elderly and may persist for years with no predictable course.
This trial was designed as a double blind assessment of the efficacy of low level laser therapy in the relief of the pain of post herpetic neuralgia with patients acting as their own controls. Admission to the trial was limited to patients with established post herpetic neuralgia of at least six months duration and who had shown little or no response to conventional methods of treatment. Measurements of pain intensity and distribution were noted over a period of eight treatments in two groups of patients each of which received four consecutive laser treatments. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in the pain intensity and distribution following a course of low level laser therapy.

Laser Therapy Pilot Edition 1:0 Pilot Issue 2 Pages 61-64

Moore KC 1998 A Double Blind Crossover Trial or Low Level Laser Therapy in the treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia.pdf

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

Course Testimonial: Michael J Traynor BSc (Hons), SRP, MCSP.

Michael J Traynor BSc (Hons), SRP, MCSP. Chartered Physiotherapist“The online training course had good presentation, well spaced and with decent breaks. Good humoured.”

Michael J Traynor BSc (Hons), SRP, MCSP.
Chartered Physiotherapist
Exeter Devon, UK

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West Virginia University Cancer Institute is using Photobiomodulation for their Oral mucositis patients

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va (WDTV) – Cancer patients deal with many side effects when they go through treatment. The WVU Cancer Institute Department of Radiation Oncology found a way to prevent a side effect, known as mucositis, that is seen in head and neck cancer patients.

WVU Cancer Institute brings new technology to help with a common side effect

“It is an inflammation type of condition from head and neck radiation,” THOR Photomedicine dental and oral mucositis specialist, Sara Jane Snyder said. “They get painful sores throughout their entire oral cavity, down their esophagus and all they down through their digestive track,” she said.

“Anybody who’s getting a high dose of chemoradiation treatment, it’s almost 100 percent guarantee that their going to get a high level of oral mucositis.”
Having mucositis can make everyday tasks difficult, like eating or brushing your teeth. This is why using what is called photobiomodulation helps treat this side effect.

“What we found is by shining light of a certain dose and of a certain wavelength, we can actually allow those sores to heal more quickly and reduce pain for patients,” Snyder said.

Recently, The Department of Radiation Oncology at the WVU Cancer institute began using this device.

“One of the reasons that we obtained it is because there are international guidelines for supportive care that recommend this kind of therapy for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis caused by radiation,” The WVU Cancer Institute Radiation Oncology chair and M.D., Geraldine Jacobson said.

Having this new form of technology is something the institute is hopeful patients will have a better treatment experience.

“We’re really excited because I think it’s going to help our patients get through forms of treatment that are really important to them and they’re just going to feel better during treatment and afterwards,” Jacobson said.

Read article and watch the video at www.wdtv.com

Posted in Industry, PBM/LLLT, Special Feature, THE FUTURE OF PBM/LLLT | on West Virginia University Cancer Institute is using Photobiomodulation for their Oral mucositis patients

Course Testimonial: Steve Bloor

Steve Bloor, Podiatrist“James Carroll has an engaging, humorous and most importantly, informative presentation style which captivates and inspires all who attend. I had been using PBM Therapy for 18 years and expected to come away with my opinions about the effectiveness of photomedicine reinforced. Little did I know how much new & exciting research evidence there was since I first started using the treatment on my podiatry patients. I was overwhelmed with the variety, as well as the depth and breadth of the new and exciting areas of medical research. 

My enthusiasm for photobiomodulation therapy skyrocketed. And, since acquiring my own THOR LX2 Therapy unit, the success of my treatments has vastly improved. With the ability to successfully treat an increased spectrum of pathologies. 

Thank you James, Mark and THOR Photomedicine.”

Steve Bloor
Podiatrist
Cornwall, UK

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Course Testimonial: Jayne Vidler

Jayne Vidler, IBCLC and Registered Nurse“Great that it was online, reduced costs for me significantly despite of COVID restrictions. Well presented information, funny presenter. Good breaks especially being online I needed to get up and move and given the time here in Queensland I had kids wanting my attention so worked really well. Thank you for the great training.”

Jayne Vidler
IBCLC and Registered Nurse
QLD, Australia

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Course Testimonial: Jesus Jimenez Garcia

Jesus Jimenez Garcia, PhD candidate“In the online training course I liked the published clinical evidence, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of photobiomodulation and dose.”

Jesus Jimenez Garcia
PhD candidate
Xalapa Veracruz, Mexico

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Testimonial: Dr. David Mallory

Dr. David Mallory, Retired chiropractor“When I retired 6 years ago I made sure that I kept my THOR Laser to help with aches and pains.  It is so impressive!  My wife uses it as an adjunct to facial skin health and at 65 has beautiful skin.  I refuse to live without it!”

Dr. David Mallory
Retired chiropractor
Vancouver BC, Canada

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

Posted in Testimonials | on Testimonial: Dr. David Mallory