Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Light therapy reduces pain and drug use in dogs with elbow arthritis
By Looney, Andrea L et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2018·Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) on canine elbow osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 dogs with elbow osteoarthritis were treated with either a special light therapy called photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) or a placebo treatment that didn't provide any real benefits. After six weeks, the dogs receiving PBMT showed significant improvements in their lameness and pain levels, and most of them were able to reduce their need for pain medication. In contrast, the dogs that received the placebo did not experience any improvements. This suggests that PBMT can be an effective treatment option for dogs suffering from elbow arthritis.
People also search for: dog elbow arthritis treatment · photobiomodulation therapy for dogs · reducing dog pain medication
Abstract
The effect of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) or sham light therapy on pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requirement, and lameness was studied in 20 dogs with naturally occurring elbow osteoarthritis. Dogs (= 20) were randomly assigned to receive either PBMT (group PBMT;= 11) 10 to 20 J/cmor a placebo treatment (sham light group S;= 9) treatment 0 J/cm, to both elbows for 6 weeks. Lameness score, pain score, and NSAID dose were recorded by blinded study personnel before and 7 to 10 days after last treatment. Reduction in NSAID dose occurred in 9/11 dogs in the PBMT group, and in 0/9 of group S dogs (= 0.0003). There was greater improvement in lameness score post PMBTS therapy (= 0.001). A greater reduction in pain score was detected in 9/11 parameters in group PBMT (< 0.05). Regularly scheduled PBMT at 10 to 20 J/cmper joint for 6 weeks was successful in improving lameness and pain scores, and in lowering NSAID requirement in canine elbow osteoarthritis patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30197438/