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Acute effects of photobiomodulation therapy applied to respiratory muscles of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial

Martins de Souza, Guilherme Henrique Ferraresi, Cleber Aparecida Moreno, Marlene Varanda Pessoa, Bruna Moraes Damiani, Ana Paula Gasparotto Filho, Vinicius Viegas Dos Santos, Giovanny Zamuner, Antonio Roberto

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DOI/PMID/Link: 10.1007/s10103-019-02885-3

Abstract

To investigate the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles on lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity in COPD patients. This is a randomized double-blind crossover clinical trial. Twelve male COPD patients participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive two photobiomodulation sessions, 1 week apart: (1) an effective photobiomodulation session applied at the main respiratory muscles by means of a cluster with 69 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), containing 35 red (630 ± 10 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm2) and 34 near-infrared (830 ± 20 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm2) LEDs and (2) a sham photobiomodulation session, following the same procedures without emitting light. The primary outcomes were pulmonary function (spirometric indexes); thoracoabdominal mobility (cirtometry); respiratory muscle strength (maximal respiratory pressures), assessed at three moments: (1) baseline, (2) 1 h after intervention, and (3) 24 h after intervention; and the functional capacity, assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline and 24 h after intervention. No significant interactions were found for spirometric variables, maximal respiratory pressures, and cirtometry. However, there was a Time × Condition interaction (F = 18.63; p = 0.001; η2p = 0.62) in the walked distance on the 6MWT, with a significant increase after photobiomodulation intervention (p < 0.01) compared with the baseline. Photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles was effective in improving acute functional capacity in COPD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles in patients with COPD.
Year Published 2020
Country Brazil
Rank Positive
Journal Lasers in Medical Science
Primary Topic Lung
Secondary Topic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Tertiary Topic Photobiomodulation Therapy
Model Human
Wavelength (nm)
Complement/Comparison