Photobiomodulation, or altering cellular function using light, is an emerging treatment modality that is increasingly gaining clinical significance[1]. Research shows that light at a specific wavelength is able to penetrate the skin and promote cellular regeneration and tissue repair[2]. The benefits of Light Therapy are now also being explored on dogs, cats, and horses, with positive results. LED devices are being used on animals to address several health concerns such as musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain.
Is LED Light Effective?
In 1993, NASA sponsored a study to investigate the effects of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on plant growth[3]. After receiving positive results, NASA decided to see if LEDs could be used for photobiomodulation therapy. In the late 1990s, their Medicine Program created NASA LED, a quasimonochromatic light source with narrow divergence and great power output. This was a handheld LED device that received FDA clearance in 2003.
Research in recent decades has shown photon emitters, like LEDs, to be efficient light sources for photobiomodulation, proving that treatment characteristics like wavelength, irradiance, and fluence, rather than the technical type of light source, are more likely to be responsible for the effects[4].
How Does Light Therapy Work?
Photobiomodulation, phototherapy, or Red Light Therapy (RLT) is the use of red and/or infrared light to stimulate the body’s regenerative processes by increasing cellular proliferation[5]. Specific wavelengths of light are shown to stimulate fibroblasts, resulting in various health benefits. Mitochondrial photostimulation through LED has been shown to improve cellular functions by up to 200%, decrease wound healing time by up to 40%, and reduce pain by 47%[6].
The Benefits of LED Light Therapy for Dogs
Since RLT is effective for the management of musculoskeletal pain and tendon and joint problems, it can be beneficial for several canine illnesses[7]. One research project studied the effectiveness of photobiomodulation on chronic wound healing in 21 dogs[8]. After 15 days of usage, the results showed that when compared to the sham group, wound size had significantly reduced in all groups that received LED Light Therapy. The study suggested that photobiomodulation can improve wound healing and reduce treatment duration in dogs.
Osteoarthritis is a common health concern among aging dogs and hounds. A study showed that six weeks of RLT improved lameness, reduced pain, and lowered NSAID requirements in 9 out of 11 dogs with elbow arthritis[9].
How is Light Therapy Helpful for Horses?
Since Red Light accelerates the healing process, it is found to be very useful in addressing various equine concerns such as soft tissue injuries, back pain, tendon problems, cuts, and wounds[10]. LED Light Therapy also stimulates the production of collagen, inhibiting the formation of scar tissue, finding benefits in equine post-operative care[11]. Photobiomodulation also stimulates the production of Nitric Oxide, and may help address peripheral neuropathies in horses[12].
Light Therapy can be used not only to address equine health concerns but also to keep your horses fit. Photobiomodulation through LED light can also be an advantage in sports performance for athletic horses. It can be either delivered as a pre-treatment before an event, as a post-treatment to address muscle soreness and other problems, or just to maintain the overall fitness [13].
Red Light Therapy for Cats
Research shows that red and infrared light radiation can activate cellular signaling pathways in mammals[14]. LED light increases blood circulation, which results in providing more oxygen and nutrients to the hypoxic cells, resulting in accelerated wound healing[15]. Since RLT is able to accelerate the body’s healing process and can enhance cellular activity, it can be used to treat a number of conditions in cats:
Joint or tendon issues
Muscle pain and soreness
Osteoarthritis
Infection
Muscle strain and sprain
Chronic low back pain
Light Therapy is a safe, painless, non-invasive, and side-effect-free treatment modality that can boost the health of your dogs, cats or horses. Energia Medical offers FDA-registered LED pads that can be strapped on or simply placed on your animals. These pads come in various sizes and shapes and can be used anywhere on the body. Our customizable pads have specific wavelengths of light including both red and infrared light. For more information, call us at 833-429-4040 and/or fill out the contact us form and we would be happy to help.
Citations
[1]Chung H, Dai T, Sharma SK, Huang YY, Carroll JD, Hamblin MR. The nuts and bolts of low-level laser (light) therapy. Ann Biomed Eng. 2012 Feb;40(2):516-33. doi: 10.1007/s10439-011-0454-7. Epub 2011 Nov 2. PMID: 22045511; PMCID: PMC3288797.
[2]Calderhead, R. G. (2007). The photobiological basics behind light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy.Laser Therapy,16(2), 97-108.
[3]NASA. (2008).LED device illuminates new path to healing | NASA spinoff. NASA Spinoff.https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/hm_3.htmlNASA Spinoff.https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/hm_3.html
[4]Smith KC. Laser (and LED) therapy is phototherapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Feb;23(1):78-80. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.78. PMID: 15782040.Laser (and LED) therapy is phototherapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2005 Feb;23(1):78-80. doi: 10.1089/pho.2005.23.78. PMID: 15782040.
[5]Rohringer S, Holnthoner W, Chaudary S, Slezak P, Priglinger E, Strassl M, Pill K, Mühleder S, Redl H, Dungel P. The impact of wavelengths of LED light-therapy on endothelial cells. Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 6;7(1):10700. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11061-y. PMID: 28878330; PMCID: PMC5587748.
[6]Whelan HT, Smits RL Jr, Buchman EV, Whelan NT, Turner SG, Margolis DA, Cevenini V, Stinson H, Ignatius R, Martin T, Cwiklinski J, Philippi AF, Graf WR, Hodgson B, Gould L, Kane M, Chen G, Caviness J. Effect of NASA light-emitting diode irradiation on wound healing. J Clin Laser Med Surg. 2001 Dec;19(6):305-14. doi: 10.1089/104454701753342758. PMID: 11776448.
[7]Anders, J.J., Ketz, A.K. and Wu, X. (2017). Basic Principles of Photobiomodulation and Its Effects at the Cellular, Tissue, and System Levels. In Laser Therapy in Veterinary Medicine (eds R.J. Riegel and J.C. Godbold).https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119220190.ch5
[8]Hoisang S, Kampa N, Seesupa S, Jitpean S. Assessment of wound area reduction on chronic wounds in dogs with photobiomodulation therapy: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Vet World. 2021 Aug;14(8):2251-2259. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.2251-2259. Epub 2021 Aug 28. PMID: 34566346; PMCID: PMC8448658.
[9]Looney AL, Huntingford JL, Blaeser LL, Mann S. A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis. Can Vet J. 2018 Sep;59(9):959-966. PMID: 30197438; PMCID: PMC6091142.
[10]Douris P, Southard V, Ferrigi R, Grauer J, Katz D, Nascimento C, Podbielski P. Effect of phototherapy on delayed onset muscle soreness. Photomed Laser Surg. 2006 Jun;24(3):377-82. doi: 10.1089/pho.2006.24.377. PMID: 16875447.
[11]Wunsch A, Matuschka K. A controlled trial to determine the efficacy of red and near-infrared light treatment in patient satisfaction, reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, skin roughness, and intradermal collagen density increase. Photomed Laser Surg. 2014 Feb;32(2):93-100. doi: 10.1089/pho.2013.3616. Epub 2013 Nov 28. PMID: 24286286; PMCID: PMC3926176.
[12]Keszler A, Lindemer B, Weihrauch D, Jones D, Hogg N, Lohr NL. Red/near infrared light stimulates release of an endothelium dependent vasodilator and rescues vascular dysfunction in a diabetes model. Free Radic Biol Med. 2017 Dec;113:157-164. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.09.012. Epub 2017 Sep 19. Erratum in: Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Feb 1;131:443. PMID: 28935419; PMCID: PMC5699925.
[13]Ferraresi C, Huang YY, Hamblin MR. Photobiomodulation in human muscle tissue: an advantage in sports performance? J Biophotonics. 2016 Dec;9(11-12):1273-1299. doi: 10.1002/jbio.201600176. Epub 2016 Nov 22. PMID: 27874264; PMCID: PMC5167494.
[14]Karu TI. Mitochondrial signaling in mammalian cells activated by red and near-IR radiation. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Sep-Oct;84(5):1091-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2008.00394.x. Epub 2008 Jul 18. PMID: 18651871.
[15]Frangez I, Cankar K, Ban Frangez H, Smrke DM. The effect of LED on blood microcirculation during chronic wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic patients-a prospective, double-blind randomized study. Lasers Med Sci. 2017 May;32(4):887-894. doi: 10.1007/s10103-017-2189-7. Epub 2017 Mar 25. PMID: 28342007.
