Acute Effect of Photobiomodulation on Blood Pressure, Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Individuals with Hypertension: A randomized controlled clinical trial

• Grant number: 23/11652-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Cleber Ferraresi
• Grantee: Lara Maria Bataglia Espósito
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/16210-9 - Time and dose response of photobiomodulation therapy in an endothelial dysfunction model: in vitro study, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension is the main cause of global death, with a great impact on public health. However, despite being a prevalent condition with associated complications, a great part of hypertensive individuals do not have blood pressure (BP) control. Recent studies bring the possibility of using photobiomodulation (PBM) to decrease BP, which is a promising therapeutic resource. However, much of the existing evidence consists in animal studies, with a lack of clinical trials that seek to study this therapy effects in hypertensive individuals, with the need of studies that investigate PBM applications with a systemic target. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the acute effect of full-body PBM and modified ILIB (Intravascular laser irradiation of blood) on blood pressure, endothelial function and arterial stiffness in individuals with hypertension. Material and methods: This is a randomized double-blind and sham-controlled clinical trial. Participants (n=48) aged 40 to 60 years old, diagnosed with hypertension and using control drugs will be equally, randomly and secretly allocated into one of 4 groups: Panel Group; Panel Sham Group; Modified ILIB group; and Modified ILIB Sham Group. Participants will be assessed for: BP; endothelial function; arterial stiffness; blood nitrite; thermography; and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Participants will receive a single application of PBM, which, depending on the group, may be full-body irradiation from an LED panel, modified ILIB, or the respective sham therapies. Data homogeneity and normality will be verified by the Levene and Shapiro-Wilk tests, which will determine the choice of subsequent tests. A statistical significance of 5% will be considered.