Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Photobiomodulation and rehab therapy for dogs with degenerative
By Miller, Lisa A et al.·Published in Photobiomodulation, photomedicine, and laser surgery·2020·Companion Animal Health, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective Observational Study and Analysis of Two Different Photobiomodulation Therapy Protocols Combined with Rehabilitation Therapy as Therapeutic Interventions for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (DM), a progressive nerve disease, received two different treatment plans that combined light therapy (photobiomodulation therapy) with rehabilitation exercises. The dogs in the second treatment group (Protocol B) experienced a much slower progression of their symptoms and lived significantly longer compared to those in the first group (Protocol A). Specifically, dogs in Protocol B had a mean survival time of about 38 months after symptoms began, while those in Protocol A only lived about 11 months. This suggests that the second treatment plan may be more effective in managing DM in dogs.
People also search for: dog degenerative myelopathy treatment · light therapy for dogs · canine rehabilitation for DM · how long do dogs live with degenerative myelopathy
Abstract
The objective of this retrospective review was to examine the impact that adding photobiomodulation therapy (PBMt) to rehabilitation therapy had on the pathology of degenerative myelopathy (DM) in canine patients.Canine DM is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease for which there exists a dearth of effective treatments, limiting clinicians to pursue symptom palliation.Clinical records of dogs referred for presumed DM to a specialty rehabilitation facility were screened for patients meeting study criteria. Qualifying patients were divided into two groups: Protocol A (PTCL-A) and Protocol B (PTCL-B) group, based on the PBMt protocol used. Data related to demographics, diagnostics, rehabilitation protocols, and progression of clinical signs were collected. Data were analyzed to determine differences in outcomes between the two treated groups and historical data expectations, as given by a previously published study.The times between symptom onset and euthanasia of dogs in the PTCL-B group: 38.2 ± 14.67 months (mean ± SD), were significantly longer than those of dogs in the PTCL-A group: 11.09 ± 2.68 months. Similarly, the times between symptom onset and nonambulatory paresis (NAP) or paralysis of dogs in the PTCL-B group: 31.76 ± 12.53 months, were significantly longer than those of dogs in the PTCL-A group: 8.79 ± 1.60 months. Further, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the times from symptom onset to NAP of dogs in the PTCL-B group were significantly longer than those of dogs in the PTCL-A group (Mantel-Cox Log Rank statistic = 20.434, < 0.05) or the historical data group (Mantel-Cox Log Rank statistic = 16.334, < 0.05).The data reviewed show significantly slower disease progression-longer survival times-for patients in the PTCL-B group than those in the PTCL-A group or published historical data. Further studies are warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32301669/