Photobiomodulation

Question 1

What is photobiomodulation

Answer 1

Light therapy- exposure to daylight or specific wavlengths of light.

Question 2

Who first discovered Photobiomodulation?

Answer 2

Hipppocrates- invented heliotherapy to treat diseases.

Question 3

Describe low level light/laser therapy- LLLT

Answer 3

Application of light to reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, induce analgesia.

Question 4

Who discovered the uses of LLLT in western medicine

Answer 4

Endre Mester in 1987. Discovered laser that increases the hair growth and wound healing at surgical sites

Question 5

What spectrum of light penetrates the deepest?

Answer 5

Infra or near infra red.

Question 6

What is incoherent light?

Answer 6

When light waves emitted by a source have no special phase relationship, the light beam spreads and loses intensity quickly.

Question 7

What is coherent light?

Answer 7

Monochromatic light with most waves in phase, spreads very little and is intense (a laser)

Question 8

T/F Coherent light is used in LLLT to treat disease

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Describe laser light.

Answer 9

Monochromatic (one wavelength, typically red or infrared), coherent and collimated (minimal divergence over distance)

Question 10

What does collimated light allow?

Answer 10

Allows treatment over focal area, for beam to pass through skin without heat or damage, and allows beam to interact with tissues with few side effects

Question 11

T/F Class III laser penetrates the skin deeper than a class IV

Answer 11

False- Class III penetrates very shallow, has to touch the skin and only treats superficial wound or trauma.

Question 12

Describe a class IV laser

Answer 12

Stronger laser and penetrates deeper into skin. Collimated so does not have to touch the skin. Treatment time is shorter.

Question 13

How does PBM work

Answer 13

Photochemical process that modulates cellular function. Photons interact with target cells via a non-thermal mechanism.

Question 14

How does the Photons interact with biochemical pathways

Answer 14

Stimulation or inhibition of these pathways. Absorption of Cytochrome C oxidase in mitochondria and suppression of inflammatory mediators.

Question 15

T/F PMB up regulates mitochondria activity.

Answer 15

True. It increases ATP production. Will also result in release of Nitric oxide.

Question 16

What is the downstream affects of PMB on ATP

Answer 16

increase the cells ability to fight infection and accelerates the healing process.

Question 17

What is the downstream affects of PMB on ROS

Answer 17

Activates transcription factors positively impacting cellular repair and healing.

Question 18

What is the downstream affects of PMB on NO

Answer 18

The release of NO a potent vasodilator, increases circulation, decreases inflammation and enhances the transport of oxygen and immune cells.

Question 19

T/F PMB can increase bone formation, increase cartilage production, collagen production and muscle regeneration

Answer 19

true

Question 20

What is the primary effect of PBM

Answer 20

cytochrome C oxidase absorbs red and near infrared light transferring light energy.

Question 21

T/F LLLT improves lymphatic flow to resolve swelling and edema

Answer 21

true

Question 22

Low/high power density laser light absorbed by nociceptors inhibits specific pain fibers and suppresses neurogenic inflammation.

Answer 22

High

Question 23

What level of mW does a class III laser deliver? Class IV?

Answer 23

Class III delivers 1-500 mW (up to 0.5W)
Class IV delivers >500mW (>0.5W)

Question 24

T/F longer wavelengths penetrate deeper into tissues

Answer 24

True- optimal is 650-1300nm.

Question 25

What do higher wattage lasers have an increased risk of?

Answer 25

Thermal injury

Question 26

Are fibroblasts stimulated by laser light?

Answer 26

yes at around 1-5 J which may increase collagen production and promote healing. Any higher than this though inhibits and delays healing

Question 27

Who publishes standards for the use of lasers and conducts clinical studies on them?

Answer 27

The World Association of Laser Therapy.