Adjunct low level laser therapy (LLLT) in a morbidly obese patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report

Abstract

Introduction

COVID-19 poses a higher risk of complications in obese patients due to low respiratory system compliance, increased inflammatory cytokines, and an activated immune system secondary to excess adiposity. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) has significant anti-inflammatory effects and reduces inflammatory cytokines. It is noninvasive and approved for pain management and musculoskeletal injuries. Data from human and experimental animal models of respiratory tract disease suggests that LLLT reduces inflammation and promotes lung healing.

Case and outcomes

A morbidly obese 32-year-old Asian female with severe COVID-19 received four consecutive once-daily LLLT sessions via a laser scanner. Pulsed 808 nm and 905 nm laser beams were delivered over the posterior chest for 28 min. The patient was evaluated before and after LLLT by radiological assessment of lung edema (RALE) on chest X-ray, oxygen requirements and saturation, pneumonia severity indices (SMART-COP and Brescia-COVID), blood inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, ferritin, and C-Reactive protein (CRP)). Prior to treatment, oxygen saturation (SpO₂) via pulse oximetry was 88%–93% on 5–6 L oxygen. Following LLLT, SpO₂ increased to 97%–99% on 1–3 L oxygen. Reductions in RALE score from 8 to 3, Brescia-COVID from 4 to 0, and SMART-COP from 5 to 0 were observed. Interleukin-6 decreased from 45.89 to 11.7 pg/mL, ferritin from 359 to 175 ng/mL, and CRP from 3.04 to 1.43 mg/dL. Post-treatment, the patient noted appreciable improvement in respiratory symptoms.

Conclusion

Following LLLT our patient showed improvement over a few days in respiratory indices, radiological findings, inflammatory markers, and patient outcomes. This report suggests that adjunct LLLT can be safely combined with conventional treatment in patients with severe COVID-19 and morbid obesity.

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 patients with underlying conditions are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality, secondary to the cytokine storm and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The World Health Organization advises that patients with obesity experience more severe symptoms and complications [1], and severe cases of COVID-19 typically require 3–6 weeks for recovery [2].

Obesity leads to mechanical compression of the diaphragm, lungs, and chest cavity, creating restrictive pulmonary damage. Excess fatty tissue decreases respiratory system compliance, while pulmonary resistance is increased, and respiratory muscle strength is decreased [3]. Excess adiposity is associated with elevated inflammatory cytokines and an activated immune system [4]. Severe cases of COVID-19 are characterized by respiratory rates >30, oxygen saturation ≤93%, and >50% involvement of lungs by chest X-ray (CXR). Significantly higher levels of plasma pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) predict possible intensive care unit (ICU) admission [5–7]. Serum ferritin levels were found to be most closely related to the severity of COVID-19 [6].

Low level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive, safe modality with significant anti-inflammatory effects confirmed by meta-analyses [8]. It is approved for pain management, tissue healing, and lymphedema reduction. In LLLT, transcutaneous application of low-intensity monochromatic light of 400–1000 nm produces intracellular photochemical reactions that activate biomolecules to restore normal cell function and enhance the tissue’s healing processes [9].

Adjunct LLLT in human respiratory conditions, including pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), has been shown to reduce respiratory symptoms, normalize respiratory function, shorten recovery times, and improve blood, immunological, and radiological parameters [10–13].

Experimental studies suggest that LLLT modulates the cytokine storm and ARDS via its anti-inflammatory action. Murine models of acute airway and lung inflammation show that LLLT reduces pulmonary microvascular leakage, IL-1β, IL-6, and intracellular reactive oxygen species [14–17]. LLLT reduces inflammation at multiple levels and may be an effective strategy to control cytokine storm [14–17]. The use of adjunctive LLLT or PBMT has been recommended as a potential treatment modality to reduce cytokine storm, ARDS, and the need for ventilators in COVID-19 [18, 19].

Here we report the effect of LLLT on CXR, pulmonary severity indices, and select inflammatory markers in a patient with severe COVID-19 and morbid obesity.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A morbidly obese 32-year-old Asian female with a body mass index of 52 and a history of meningioma excision and asthma, presented to the emergency room (ER) with a positive COVID-19 test and shortness of breath, cough, and diarrhea. She was hypoxic with oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry (SpO₂) of 88% on room air, tachypneic with respiratory rate of 35, febrile with temperature of 100.5 F, pulse rate 89, and blood pressure 106/84. CXR demonstrated bilateral basal multifocal infiltrates. She was admitted on 5 L/min of O₂. The patient experienced symptoms 7 days prior to presenting to the ER. Upon admission, the patient was confirmed to be SARS-CoV-2 positive by nasopharyngeal swab and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with an Abbott ID system. The patient was started on Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin for potential superimposed bacterial infection. She was considered high risk due to morbid obesity, asthma, low oxygen saturation, infiltrates on CXR, and tachypnea. Her condition worsened despite antibiotics and supportive therapy and was evaluated for ICU admission on hospital day 3. Consent was obtained for the institutional review board (IRB)-approved randomized clinical trial of LLLT for COVID-19. LLLT treatment started on hospital day 3 while antibiotics continued. The patient was not receiving any antiviral or steroid medications.

Pretreatment clinical findings

The patient’s response to LLLT was evaluated via SMART-COP [20] (systolic blood pressure, multilobar infiltrates, albumin, respiratory rate, tachycardia, confusion, oxygen, and pH) and Brescia-COVID [21] prediction tools, CXR radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) [14], and blood markers of inflammation (Table 2).

TABLE 2. Patient assessments/scores pre- and post-treatment (low level laser therapy) during hospitalization.

Parameters	Pre-treatment	Post-treatment	Normal range or evaluation criteria
SMART-COP, evaluates pneumonia severity	5	1	0 points: Very low risk of needing IRVS 1 point: Low risk (1 in 20) of needing IRVS 2 points: Moderate risk (1 in 10) of needing IRVS 3 points: High risk (1 in 6) of needing IRVS ≥4 points: High risk (1 in 3) of needing IRVS; consider admission to intensive care unit
Brescia-COVID respiratory severity scale	4	0	0 – monitor 1 – add O2 and monitor 2 – chest X-ray, arterial blood gas, O2 therapy, monitor >2 – High-flow nasal cannula and reassess. If still >2, intubate.
Radiographic assessment of lung edema	8	2	Lungs score dependent on extent of involvement based on consolidation or ground glass opacities for each lung, total score is the sum of the score of the lungs: 0 = no involvement. 1 = <25%; 2 = 25%–50%; 3 = 50%–75%; 4 = >75%
Interleukin-6	45.89	11.7	<5 pg/mL
C-reactive protein	3.06	1.43	0–0.8 mg/dL
O2 requirement	3–6 L/min	0–1 L/min	0 L/min
Oxygen saturation	88%–93%	97%	≥94%
Ferritin	359	175	11–307 ng/mL, in females
White blood cells	4.4	4.9	4.5–11 K/uL
Hemoglobin	10.6	9.0	12.0–15.5 g/dL
Hematocrit	36	30	37%–48% for women
Albumin	3.7	3.3	3.4–5.4 g/dL

SMART-COP, systolic blood pressure, multilobar infiltrates, albumin, respiratory rate, tachycardia, confusion, oxygen, and pH; IRVS, intensive respiratory or vasopressor support.

The SMART-COP Score [20] evaluates pneumonia severity and predicts the need for intensive respiratory or vasopressor support (IRVS) in community-acquired pneumonia. The pretreatment SMART-COP score was 5, indicating potential serious progressive complications, rapid referral to the ICU, and the need for a ventilator. The Brescia-COVID Respiratory Severity Scale [21] is a stepwise algorithm for managing patients with confirmed COVID-19. Pretreatment score was 4, which predicted ICU and ventilator support.

The RALE score [22, 23] evaluates lung edema by CXR in ARDS patients. To quantify the extent of infection, a severity score was calculated by adapting and simplifying RALE score [15]. A score of 0–4 was assigned to each lung depending on the extent of involvement by consolidation or ground glass opacities (0 = no involvement; 1 = <25%; 2 = 25%–50%; 3 = 50%–75%; 4 = >75% involvement). The scores for each lung were summed up to produce the final severity score [23]. Before treatment, the RALE score was 8, consistent with 100% involvement of the lungs.

Prior to LLLT, the patient had significant tachypnea and complained of “terrible shortness of breath” with activities of daily living.

Intervention

The multiwave locked system (MLS) scanner-equipped laser utilized in this study was deemed a nonsignificant risk device by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to obtaining IRB approval. An FDA-cleared laser system (MLS-ASA/Italy) typically used in pain clinics was employed. Two simultaneous and synchronized laser diodes, emitting at 905 and 808 nm, were used in pulsed modes (Table 1). The scanner was positioned 20 cm above the skin, according to the manufacturer specifications. Each lung was scanned for 14 min, from apex to base over 250 cm² of the posterior thorax, (Figure 1). The patient tolerated all four consecutive once-daily LLLT without complication.

TABLE 1. Laser multiwave locked system parameters for COVID-19 pneumonia.

	808 nm (GaAlAs) diode	905 nm (GaAs) diode
Mode of radiation	Pulsed	Super-pulsed
Frequency	1500 HZ, (Duty Cycle 50%) (1 Hz ÷ 2 kHz)	1500 HZ (90 kHz Modulated at 1 Hz ÷ 2 kHz)
Pulse duration	500 ms ÷ 250 μs (333 μs)	100 ns
Peak power	3 W	75 W × 3
Average power	1.5 W	11.25 × 3 = 33.75 mW
Spot size	19.625 cm2	19.625 cm2
Area	25 × 10 = 250 cm2	25 × 10 = 250 cm2
Dose	7.2 J/cm2		113.4 mJ/cm2
Distance from the skin	20 cm
Treatment time	14 min each lung
Total energy	3600 J
Total time	28 min
Sessions	Once daily for four consecutive days

FIGURE 1. Positioning of the laser beams on the posterior thorax.

The apex of the lung lies above the first rib. The posterior border of the lung extends from the C7 to the T10 vertebra. The laser device (MLS) utilizes a scanner which was positioned 20 cm above the skin and scanned 250 cm² over each lung.

Post treatment outcomes

During the first laser treatment, her SpO₂ increased from 92% to 97% on 3 L/min oxygen within 10 min of starting treatment. After the second laser treatment the patient was breathing without dyspnea. Following treatments her respiratory rate returned to normal 19–20 breaths/min. After the fourth treatment, the patient was able to independently ambulate and had improved ability to perform activities of daily living. Patient was discharged 2 days after her last treatment on 1 L/min oxygen. Total hospital stay was 7 days. On follow-up 2 days after discharge, she was weaned to room air. The SMART-COP score decreased from 4 to 1 after treatment, indicating low risk for IRVS and requiring observation only. The Brescia-COVID score decreased from 4 to 0 after treatment, which supports patient monitoring via pulse oximetry and clinical evaluation.

Before treatment, the RALE score was 8, consistent with 100% involvement of the lungs, and it diminished to three after LLLT. The imaging absorption stage for severe COVID-19 is typically seen after ≥14 days [24], but in this case, the absorption stage is evident at 7 days (Figure 2).

FIGURE 2. Radiographic assessment of lung edema (RALE) by chest X-ray before and after low level laser therapy.

The Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) Scores by Chest-X-Ray confirmed the improvement of the lung involvement after Low Level Leaser Therapy for the patient. A score of 0-4 was assigned to each ling, depending on the extent of lung involvement by consolidation or ground glass opacities. 0 = no lung involvement; 1 = <25%; 2 = 25 - 50%; 3 = 50% - 75%; 4 = >75% involvement. The scores for each lung were summed up to calculate the final severity score. The RALE Scores for the patient were 8, before laser therapy, and 3, after laser therapy (6 days later).

Blood work included pre- and post-LLLT, IL-6, ferritin, and CRP. Immediately after final treatment IL-6 dropped from 45.89 to 11.7 pg/mL, ferritin from 359 to 175 ng/mL, and CRP improved from 3.06 to 1.43 mg/dL (Table 2).

Oxygen requirement before treatment was 3–6 L/min with SpO₂ 88%–93% and improved to 1–3 L/min and SpO₂ 97%–99% after treatment.

At 2 weeks and 6 weeks from discharge the patient reported subjective improvement in respiratory symptoms and well-being. She was satisfied and appreciative of her LLLT experience and treatment outcome.

DISCUSSION

Animal and human experimental studies demonstrate that LLLT reduces inflammation at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. LLLT is effective against both cytokine storm and ARDS while promoting healing and tissue regeneration. Experimental and animal models of pulmonary disease and infection have revealed multiple cellular and molecular effects, which are both local and systemic. LLLT reduces inflammation without impairing lung function in acute lung injuries and is a promising therapeutic approach for lung inflammatory diseases such as COPD [13–17]. The results of our patient evaluation are consistent with the anti-inflammatory effect of LLLT on the lung, cytokine storm, and ARDS.

The strength of this report is that we measured multiple objective and subjective parameters before and after treatment. We believe that the anti-inflammatory effect of LLLT on lung tissue [13–17] may have occurred in this patient as evidenced by the reduction of pro-inflammatory markers IL-6 and ferritin. Another strength of the therapy is that the scanning method of this laser has no risk of contamination because the laser does not contact the patient.

To our knowledge, this was the first time that LLLT was used for the treatment of pulmonary disease in COVID-19 patients. The reduction of inflammatory markers and improved radiography support the clinical improvement of the patient. The lasers currently available in pain and lymphedema clinics may be adjusted to treat the lung inflammation in COVID-19. The laser used in our pain clinic was easily adapted to the management of COVID-19 pulmonary disease in a community hospital.

The patient in this case report is part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial. The urgent need for effective COVID-19 treatments calls for pilot studies and clinical trials to further evaluate the potential healing effects of LLLT.

CONCLUSION

The use of LLLT in the early stage of severe COVID-19 for this patient may have been beneficial and potentially negated the need for ventilator support that was predicted by both Brescia-COVID and SMART-COP scores. Adjunct LLLT in COVID-19 patients may accelerate recovery and reduce the need for ventilator support and ICU admission. This in turn could significantly reduce length of stay, severity of disease, and the clinical burden in our hospitals.

Contributors

1. Scott Sigman, as research director, contributed to planning, coordinating, and administering the research including, obtaining FDA guided IRB approval, patient recruitment and consent, patient screening and assessments, performing the laser therapy, adverse event monitoring, follow-up, collecting the data, discussion, revising, etc.

2. Soheila Mokmeli, as scientific supervisor, contributed to study methodologies including, designing the therapeutic protocol, determining the assessment tools, materials, instructions on how to conduct the study, verifying case report forms and monitoring overall progress throughout the study, providing the references and discussion, revising, etc.

3. Mariana Vetrici, as scientific advisor, contributed to analyzing data, providing the references, discussion, drafting, and revising the article.

Funding

There is no funding source and no potential conflict of interest for all authors.

Competing interests

All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous 3 years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Ethical approval

The study was performed under FDA guided IRB approval By Clinical Research Review Committee; Lowell General Hospital, Massachusetts, USA.