Launching New Study: Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation) as At Home Treatment in Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Red Light Therapy, also known as Photobiomodulation (PBM), Laser Therapy and  many other terms, has for over two decades been known to help pets and humans with various orthopedic and soft tissue diseases and injuries. The primary mode of action is to decrease inflammation that occurs with these conditions. When you reduce inflammation, pain decreases and normal function returns. The reality is that nearly all human and animal disease conditions have an inflammatory component.  It was with that thought that in 2012 we launched our initial work on the treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) using Light Therapy. CKD is a devastating and extremely common disease especially in ageing felines (estimates range from 40-60% of all felines over 14 years of age). In 2016 we presented our initial pilot study to the American College of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) conference in Boston where it was nominated for an award in excellence in clinical research. The summarized results of this study can be viewed here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3xm3sih6pdptxq8/ASLMS-ePoster-Template-4%20copy.pdf?dl=0 

Since this first group of 12 patients (dog and cat all in late Stage 3 and Stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease) we have treated over 250 patients nearly all of whom have shown significant benefit. Appetite, physical activity, family interaction and overall attitude improve substantially when Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation Therapy) is added to the ongoing regimen. Although it is hard to claim increased longevity, it is likely that these patients who feel better certainly live better, if not longer lives. In many instances the common renal parameters (Creatinine, BUN and Phosphorous) decrease or stabilize over the course of treatment. When we compare these patients to those cited in a large retrospective university study, they considerably outlive the reported range for the various stages of CKD according to IRIS classification.

Initially these patients were treated with in-hospital Laser and LED therapy by doctors. However, due to a variety of factors (expense, staff shortages, Covid) we transitioned to a hybrid model with a combination of in clinic and at home treatment. https://pbmdvm.com/2023/06/current-alternatives-in-crd-pbm-tx-02-23/

 Recently we have worked with remote clients who only utilize at home devices.

This study will be undertaken with at home treatment exclusively. Although periodic laboratory evaluations will be required as part of the database, the client will perform all treatments under the supervision of a veterinarian. This will be a limited participation study as it is time consuming to process and support each single participant. MedcoVet https://medcovet.com/ has agreed to provide logistical support as well as to provide Luma units at special pricing for study participants. These devices can be rented monthly for the duration of participation in the study. Patients who continue throughout the total length of the project will be eligible to permanently acquire these units.