How it works
The targeted area is directly pressed over by the laser unit during cold laser therapy. The apparatus produces near-infrared and infrared light, which penetrates the skin and absorbs into the tissue underneath. Brain trauma laser therapy can be a godsend in many cases.
A rise in cellular respiration and other physiological reactions that aid in healing are brought on by the absorbed infrared light.
The wavelengths will be adjusted to various levels depending on the problem you wish to address. Wavelengths are commonly chosen between 600 and 700 nanometers for superficial muscles. Wavelengths between 780 and 950 nm are employed for more serious problems.
Higher intensity waves have less beneficial impacts than lower intensity waves in terms of treating brain injuries, according to studies. The most effective wavelengths in a study on mice that tested four distinct ones were 660 nm and 810 nm. The least improvements were produced at 980 nm, the greatest wavelength.
Cold laser therapy for TBI: evidence
There have been a number of studies done on TBI patients in humans that indicate cold laser therapy may be helpful.
Enhances Patients with Severe TBI’s Awareness
One study on five comatose patients found a significant improvement in alertness and awareness following cold laser treatment.
The patient with the most notable improvement was a 57-year-old female with a severe brain injury who was completely reliant on outside assistance prior to undergoing cold laser therapy. She was unable to speak and was fed through a stomach tube. She was completely unable to sustain herself since all of her limbs were so feeble.
She was unable to speak a single word before the cold laser intervention, but by the time it was over, she was able to talk in brief sentences.
Her eyes were locked and unresponsive, yet they could now follow things. She had regained her ability to recognize objects because she could even look at things that others had instructed her to identify, such as a clock or a vase. She was able to feed herself solid food and regained functional use of her hands.
The ability to stand up and walk with a walker, which was previously impossible, was the most amazing improvement she made.
Enhances Cognitive Performance in Individuals with Mild TBI
Both participants in a different research on people with moderate traumatic brain injuries displayed various executive function abnormalities. They experienced terrible memory problems and were unable to concentrate on their task for longer than 20 minutes at a time.
Follow-up cognitive tests after four months of therapy revealed a considerable improvement in executive function. One patient claimed that she could now work at her computer for three hours nonstop, something she had not been able to do since several years prior, before her injury.
Here are just a few instances of how cold laser therapy has helped people with severe brain injuries. We’ll talk about some objections to cold laser therapy for those with brain injuries next. Most opponents of cold laser therapy contend that the evidence for it is insufficient. Several studies lack sufficient controls and are tiny and brief.
Furthermore, it is challenging to determine the best treatment plan because of the significant dosage and wavelength variations between trials. Should you do a five-minute or thirty-minute session? Should you perform it daily or once per week? Several answers will be provided by various experts.
Yet, this does not imply that cold laser therapy is ineffective; some of the outcomes are too astounding to completely discount. Nonetheless, it does imply that additional study is required to ascertain the optimal application.
Should Brain Damage Patients Attempt Cold Laser Therapy?
While there is still much to learn about cold laser therapy for brain injury, early results are encouraging. It might be the best alternative therapy option for those wishing to lessen the symptoms of brain injury because it is a painless, non-invasive procedure.
Before beginning laser therapy, you should consult with your physical therapist or other medical professionals. Although cold laser units are available for purchase online for use at home, not all of them are of the same caliber, and a therapist will know which one to use.
We trust that this article has given you a better understanding of cold laser therapy and how it could be able to aid with brain damage rehabilitation.