Objective
To assess the safety and effectiveness of high-density light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation therapy in patients with hand osteoarthritis (OA) and compare the pre- and post-intervention symptoms.
Methods
Twenty-three patients with hand OA underwent eight sessions of high-density LED irradiation therapy directed at the five most painful areas in the finger joints. Each session lasted for 18 minutes; and the sessions were conducted twice a week, for 4 weeks. We evaluated the degree of pain using the visual analogue scale, ring size, and passive range of motion (flexion+extension) for two most painful joints from the baseline to post-therapy (weeks 4 and 6).
Results
High-density LED irradiation therapy significantly reduced the pain posttreatment compared with that observed at the baseline (p<0.001). Although improvements were observed in ring size and joint range of motion at 4 and 6 weeks, they were not statistically significant (p>0.05). No adverse events were observed.
Conclusion
We examined the safety and effectiveness of high-density LED irradiation therapy in reducing pain and hand swelling and improving joint mobility in patients with hand OA. These results suggest that high-density LED irradiation therapy has the potential to be an important strategy for managing hand OA.

Citations

• Letter to the Editor: Efficacy and Safety of High Density LED Irradiation Therapy for Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Single-Center Clinical Study
  Vanshika Agarwal, Jeyanthi. S, Adarsh Sharma
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2025; 49(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Response: Efficacy and Safety of High Density LED Irradiation Therapy for Patients With Hand Osteoarthritis: A Single-Center Clinical Study (Ann Rehabil Med 2024;48:50-6)
  Jiseon Hong
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2025; 49(1): 3.     CrossRef
• Photobiomodulation Literature Watch December 2023
  James D. Carroll
  Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.2024; 42(10): 660.     CrossRef

Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of light-emitting diode (LED) and their dual-wavelengths as a treatment strategy for osteoarthritis.
Methods
We induced osteoarthritis in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the right rear knee joint. The animals with lesions were divided into an untreated group and an LED-treated group (n=7 each). In the LED-treated group, the lesioned knee was irradiated with lasers (850 and 940 nm) and dose (3.15 J/cm²) for 20 minutes per session, twice a week for 4 weeks. Knee joint tissues were stained and scanned using an in vivo micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner. Serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-18 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay. Several functional tests (lines crossed, rotational movement, rearing, and latency to remain rotating rod) were performed 24 hours before LED treatment and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment.
Results
LED-treated rats showed improved locomotor function and suppressed matrix-degrading cytokines. Micro-CT images indicated that LED therapy had a preserving effect on cartilage and cortical bone.
Conclusion
LED treatment using wavelengths of 850 and 940 nm resulted in significant functional, anatomical, and histologic improvements without adverse events in a rat model. Further research is required to determine the optimal wavelength, duration, and combination method, which will maximize treatment effectiveness.

Citations

• BTEX-K Ameliorates Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Regulating the NF-κB and PPAR-γ Signaling Pathways in Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Mice
  Joonpyo Hong, Jin-Ho Lee, Ga Young Lee, Jin-Hwan Oh, Hana Lee, Han Sung Kim, Tack-Joong Kim
  Biomedicines.2025; 13(7): 1524.     CrossRef
• Photobiomodulation Literature Watch December 2023
  James D. Carroll
  Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery.2024; 42(10): 660.     CrossRef

Objective
To systematically review the effect of intrathecal baclofen pump insertion in children with cerebral palsy (CP) with respect to scoliosis.
Methods
A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases up to June 2022. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) studies with a quantitative study design; (2) studies with a study group of children with CP; (3) studies comparing scoliosis in children with and without an intrathecal baclofen pump; and (4) studies with Cobb’s angle as a parameter.
Results
Of the 183 studies found, four studies, all of which were retrospective comparative studies, met the aforementioned inclusion criteria. All studies were homogeneous (I2=0%, p=0.53) and intrathecal baclofen pump insertion accelerated the progression of scoliosis (standard mean difference=0.27; 95% confidence interval=0.07–0.48).
Conclusion
Intrathecal baclofen pumps have been used to alleviate spasticity in children with CP, thus aiding their daily activities and movements. However, their advantages and disadvantages should be reviewed after sufficient time considering the pumps’ negative effect on the course of scoliosis.

Citations

• From childhood to adulthood: Long-term assessment of continuous intrathecal baclofen therapy in non-ambulant spastic cerebral palsy
  B.H.M. Martens, M. Iskander, D.L. Soudant, G.F. Vles, L.A. Bonouvrié, O.P.M. Teernstra, J.S.H. Vles, R.J. Vermeulen
  European Journal of Paediatric Neurology.2025; 56: 17.     CrossRef
• Lumbosacral Endoscopic Ventral–Dorsal Rhizotomy: A Novel Approach for Tone Reduction
  Lucinda T. Chiu, Benjamin E. Weiss, Nathan Pertsch, Olivia Rogers, Benjamin Katholi, Jeffrey S. Raskin
  Brain Sciences.2025; 15(10): 1030.     CrossRef
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: the why and the how of diagnosis and treatment
  Adam P Lloyd, Adrian Gardner, Athanasios I Tsirikos
  Orthopaedics and Trauma.2025; 39(6): 402.     CrossRef
• Delivery of Intrathecal Morphine Through Baclofen Pump for Perioperative Analgesia
  Austin W. Li, Christina K. Hardesty
  JAAOS: Global Research and Reviews.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Pre-op considerations in neuromuscular scoliosis deformity surgery: proceedings of the half day course at the 58th annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society
  Michelle C. Welborn, Gregory Redding, Patrick Evers, Lindsey Nicol, David F. Bauer, Rajiv R. Iyer, Selina Poon, Steven Hwang
  Spine Deformity.2024; 12(4): 867.     CrossRef
• Cervicothoracic ventral-dorsal rhizotomy for treatment of brachial hypertonia in cerebral palsy
  Sunny Abdelmageed, Mahalia Dalmage, James M. Mossner, Robin Trierweiler, Tim Krater, Jeffrey S. Raskin
  Child's Nervous System.2024; 40(9): 2835.     CrossRef
• Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy: Pros and Cons
  Sung-Rae Cho
  Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 47(1): 1.     CrossRef