The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy (2) - Flipbook - Page 33
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The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy
2.4.2 RLT and Allergic Rhinitis
A recent study explored the use of light therapy as a
treatment
for
allergic
rhinitis,
a
common
condition
characterized by nasal inflammation due to allergens.
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This condition, often known as hay fever, can significantly
impact
quality
of
life
and
typically
requires
ongoing
symptom management.
The
researchers
recruited
21
patients
with
confirmed
allergic rhinitis and treated them with a combination
of red light (660 nanometers) and infrared light (940
nanometers).
for
their
used
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These specific wavelengths were chosen
potential
low-power
therapeutic
light
effects.
sources,
each
The
treatment
emitting
just
5
milliwatts of energy. Patients applied this light therapy to
their nasal area three times daily, with at least 5 hours
between each session.
They found that daily 10-minute treatments with red and blue light significantly reduced acne spots on the face
over three months.
7
Blue light was added because it helps kill bacteria that contribute to acne. This therapy
improved both visible acne and areas without visible acne.
To measure the effectiveness of the treatment, the team
RQLQ
62/100
used
two
assessment
tools.
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The
Rhinoconjunctivitis
Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) evaluated overall
impact on daily life, while a visual analog scale (VAS)
helped
VAS
3/10
patients
rate
their
symptom
severity.
Before
treatment, the median RQLQ score was 62 out of 100
(with higher scores indicating more severe impact), and
the median VAS score was 3 out of 10.
The results were promising. After two weeks of treatment, both RQLQ and VAS scores showed significant
improvement.
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This positive trend continued, with even better scores recorded at the four-week mark. Notably,
patients reported improvements in nasal congestion and runny nose as early as one week into the treatment.
While these findings suggest that low-power light therapy could be an effective
treatment for allergic rhinitis, with noticeable benefits appearing within a week,
the researchers emphasize the need for larger, more comprehensive studies to
confirm these results.
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