Blood irradiation therapy

Related Terms

Autotransfusion of laser-irradiated blood, autotransfusion of ultraviolet blood irradiation, blue light blood irradiation, endovascular irradiation, extracorporeal ultraviolet blood irradiation, extracorporeal ultraviolet blood radiation, helium-neon laser, hemotherapy, intracorporeal laser irradiation of the blood, intranasal blood irradiation, intranasal light therapy, intravascular laser irradiation, intravenous laser blood irradiation, intravenous laser blood radiation, intravenous low-intensity laser irradiation of the blood, Knott technic of blood irradiation therapy, Knott technique of blood irradiation therapy, laser blood irradiation, low-energy He-Ne laser, low-energy semiconductor laser intranasal irradiation of the blood, low-intensity laser irradiation, low-intensity laser therapy, red coherent irradiation, transcutaneous irradiation, ultraviolet blood irradiation, ultraviolet blood irradiation therapy.

Background

Blood irradiation therapy is a technique in which a person's blood is exposed to light. The treatment may be given through a vein via a catheter, through the blood vessels of the nose, or through the skin. The therapy is believed to have originated in Asia (mainly Russia) and most research was conducted in Russia. Blood irradiation may involve laser or ultraviolet (UV) light, and may involve the irradiation of blood while in the body or out of the body.
Blood irradiation therapy is used for various conditions. It is most commonly used for heart conditions and inflammation. Blood irradiation has also been studied for lung conditions, diabetes, disorders of the stomach and intestines, arthritis, and pregnancy support.
Evidence is lacking to support the use of blood irradiation therapy for any condition. More research is needed.

Theory

General: Laser blood irradiation is believed to improve qualities of blood, such as improved flow and transport. Other improvements may include better oxygen levels and supply to the tissues, increased cell energy formation, and positive effects on hemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen in the blood). Irradiation may also relieve pain, enabling increased exercise tolerance, and may prevent clotting. It is also believed that blood irradiation may increase immune function to viral and bacterial infections. Other benefits include detoxification, anti-inflammatory effects, and nervous system regulation.
Blood irradiation on the skin: High power laser light is applied to healthy, unbroken skin, on areas containing large numbers of blood vessels. Some experts believe that this therapy may be used repeatedly due to the lack of tissue/skin penetration. However, nearby tissue (such as muscles, nerves, and skin) may also be exposed to irradiation, and a higher irradiation power is needed. Blood irradiation on the skin uses infrared laser irradiation of the skin using a wavelength of 830 nanometers with an output of 40 milliwatts and a frequency of 5 hertz. The procedure is conducted daily or every other day for 6-10 sessions.
Blood irradiation in the nose: A small device that shines light, called a diode, is placed into the nose. The light diode is usually a low intensity red color laser or normal red light. The nasal cavity contains a large number of small blood vessels.
Laser blood irradiation in the veins: This technique involves feeding a low power laser light into the forearm vein. Advantages include use of a low level of laser, and disadvantages include inconvenience, risk of infection, and the need for a high level of medical skill. However, self-powered irradiation devices exist that may help address some of the disadvantages of this procedure. Laser blood irradiation given into the vein uses a helium-neon laser (632.8 nanometers) with an output of 1-4 milliwatts and a daily exposure of 10-60 minutes daily or on alternate days, for 3-10 sessions.
Ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation: Approximately 200 milliliters of blood is taken from a vein and exposed to UV irradiation outside of the body. The blood is then returned to the blood stream. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the blood involves a MD73M "Izolda" device with a UV irradiation dose of 100-150 joules and 180-6000 milliliters of irradiated blood.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


A combination of conventional treatment and laser irradiation given into the veins improved asthma symptoms. However, a clear effect of blood irradiation is lacking and further study is needed.

 C


A combination of conventional treatment and laser irradiation given into the veins improved asthma symptoms. However, a clear effect of blood irradiation is lacking and further study is needed.

 C


Ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation therapy may help treat sudden deafness. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation therapy may help treat sudden deafness. More studies are needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Laser blood irradiation given into the vein reduced blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Blood irradiation therapy may also be useful for type 1 diabetes, but details are lacking. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Laser blood irradiation given into the vein reduced blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Blood irradiation therapy may also be useful for type 1 diabetes, but details are lacking. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Blood irradiation may benefit people who have unstable angina pectoris (unexpected chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart). Blood irradiation may benefit people with clogged arteries when combined with plasmapheresis, a type of blood purifying technique. Further research is needed.

 C


Blood irradiation may benefit people who have unstable angina pectoris (unexpected chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart). Blood irradiation may benefit people with clogged arteries when combined with plasmapheresis, a type of blood purifying technique. Further research is needed.

 C


Ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation may improve symptoms and reduce bacteria in people with pulmonary tuberculosis (a bacterial lung infection) and bronchitis. Laser blood irradiation may also benefit people who have pneumonia and bronchitis. Blood irradiation given into the vein reduced complications and hospital stay associated with chronic lung conditions, as well as increased therapy effectiveness, in people with bronchitis. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation may improve symptoms and reduce bacteria in people with pulmonary tuberculosis (a bacterial lung infection) and bronchitis. Laser blood irradiation may also benefit people who have pneumonia and bronchitis. Blood irradiation given into the vein reduced complications and hospital stay associated with chronic lung conditions, as well as increased therapy effectiveness, in people with bronchitis. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Laser blood irradiation given into the vein as part of a combination treatment may benefit people with artery disease in the lower limbs. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Laser blood irradiation given into the vein as part of a combination treatment may benefit people with artery disease in the lower limbs. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Blood irradiation therapy may help prevent abortion in women with lower stomach cramps and/or vaginal bleeding and/or premature labor. In women with incomplete abortions due to uterine infection, ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation therapy given with surgery may promote recovery. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Blood irradiation therapy may help prevent abortion in women with lower stomach cramps and/or vaginal bleeding and/or premature labor. In women with incomplete abortions due to uterine infection, ultraviolet (UV) blood irradiation therapy given with surgery may promote recovery. Further study is needed before conclusions can be made.

 C


Various types of laser irradiation have been used before surgery in people with internal stomach bleeding. However, the benefits of laser blood irradiation given into the vein to prevent bleeding complications after tumor removal are unclear. Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UV) has been studied before and after biliary tract surgery, and may reduce associated nausea and vomiting, loss of nutrients, stomach swelling, and other complications. However, details are limited.

 C


Various types of laser irradiation have been used before surgery in people with internal stomach bleeding. However, the benefits of laser blood irradiation given into the vein to prevent bleeding complications after tumor removal are unclear. Ultraviolet blood irradiation (UV) has been studied before and after biliary tract surgery, and may reduce associated nausea and vomiting, loss of nutrients, stomach swelling, and other complications. However, details are limited.

 C


Evidence of benefit of blood irradiation therapy was mixed in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Further study is needed.

 C


Evidence of benefit of blood irradiation therapy was mixed in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Further study is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that laser blood irradiation given through the vein may improve ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. Laser blood therapy has been studied in combination with other treatments. Further research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that laser blood irradiation given through the vein may improve ulcers in the stomach and duodenum. Laser blood therapy has been studied in combination with other treatments. Further research is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Safety

Many complementary techniques are practiced by healthcare professionals with formal training, in accordance with the standards of national organizations. However, this is not universally the case, and adverse effects are possible. Due to limited research, in some cases only limited safety information is available.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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