Effects of 780 nm diode laser irradiation on blood microcirculation: preliminary findings on time-dependent T1-weighted contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Laser therapy by low light doses shows promising results in the modulation of some cell functions. Various clinical studies indicate that laser therapy is a valuable method for pain treatment and the acceleration of wound healing. However, the mechanism behind it is still not completely understood. To explore the effect of a low-power diode laser (λ=780 nm) on normal skin tissue, time-dependent contrast enhancement has been determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the examinations, six healthy volunteers (four male and two female) have been irradiated on their right planta pedis (sole of foot) with 5 J/cm2 at a fluence rate of 100 mW/cm2. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is used to quantify the time-dependent local accumulation of Gadolinium-DPTA, its actual content in the local current blood volume as well as its distribution to the extracellular space. Images are obtained before and after the application of laser light. When laser light is applied the signal to noise ratio increases by more than 0.35±0.15 (range 0.23–0.63) after irradiation according to contrast-enhanced MRI. It can be observed that, after biomodulation with light of low energy and low power, wound healing improves and pain is reduced. This effect might be explained by an increased blood flow in this area. Therefore, the use of this kind of laser treatment might improve the outcome of other therapeutic modalities such as tumour ionizing radiation therapy and local chemotherapy.