Light Emitting Diode (LED) Therapy
DESCRIPTION
Light emitting diode (LED) therapy utilizes a device (e.g., Anodyne Therapy System, Pain-X-2000, BioScan, Light Force Therapy) that delivers light to targeted tissue. This is done through multiple LEDs located on a flexible pad that is in contact with the skin. LED therapy may also be referred to as infrared energy therapy, infrared light therapy or infrared heating pad system.
LED therapy devices use one (monochromatic) or two wavelengths of infrared (invisible) light with or without red (visible) light. The light is measured in nanometers, with a higher nanometer number denoting a greater depth of tissue penetration. Treatment is administered several times a week over a period of weeks to months. LED therapy can be provided in an office or home setting.
LED therapy is being proposed for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, non-healing wounds and pain. Treatment is based on the premise that LED therapy may cause an increase in nitric oxide concentrations that may lead to increased blood flow and promote vasodilatation.
POLICY
Light emitting diode therapy for the treatment of conditions / diseases, including but not limited to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, non-healing wounds and pain is considered investigational.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
We develop Medical Policies to provide guidance to Members and Providers. This Medical Policy relates only to the services or supplies described in it. The existence of a Medical Policy is not an authorization, certification, explanation of benefits or a contract for the service (or supply) that is referenced in the Medical Policy. For a determination of the benefits that a Member is entitled to receive under his or her health plan, the Member's health plan must be reviewed. If there is a conflict between the Medical Policy and a health plan, the express terms of the health plan will govern.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Scientific evidence in peer review literature is lacking regarding the use, safety, improvement or effectiveness on health outcomes for light emitting diode therapy.
SOURCES
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Medical Policy Reference Manual. (4:2005). Skin contact monochromatic infrared energy as a technique to treat cutaneous ulcers, diabetic neuropathy, and miscellaneous musculoskeletal conditions (1.01.22). Retrieved April 6, 2009 from BlueWeb.
BMC Psychiatry. (2007, August). A controlled trial of the Litebook light-emitting diode (LED) light therapy device for treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Retrieved April 7, 2009 from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1971065&blobtype=pdf.
Clifft, J. K., Kasser, R. J., Newton, T. S., Bush, A. J. (2005). The effect of monochromatic infrared energy on sensation in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Diabetic Care, 28 (12), 2896-2900. Abstract retrieved February 22, 2006 from PubMed database.
Glasgow, P. D., Hill, I. D., McKevitt, A. M., Lowe, A. S. & Baxter, D. (2001). Low intensity monochromatic infrared therapy: a preliminary study of the effects of a novel treatment unit upon experimental muscle soreness. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, 28 (1), 33-39.
Hayes Medical Technology Directory. (2008, April). Low Level Light Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy. Retrieved April 6, 2009 from www.Hayesinc.com/subscribers. (40 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Hayes Medical Technology Directory. (2008, May). Low Level Light Therapy for Temporomandibular Joint Pain. Retrieved April 6, 2009 from www.Hayesinc.com/subscribers. (30 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Hayes Medical Technology Directory. (2009, February). Phototherapy for Acne Vulgaris. Retrieved April 6, 2009 from www.Hayesinc.com/subscribers. (57 articles and/or guidelines reviewed)
Health Technology Assessment Information Service. Target database. (2006, January). Monochromatic infrared irradiation for peripheral neuropathic pain. Retrieved February 22, 2006 from ECRI HTAIS.
Horwitz, L. R., Burke, T. J., & Carngie, D. (1999). Augmentation of wound healing using monochromatic infrared energy. Advances in Wound Care, 12 (1), 35-40.
Kochman, A. B., Carnegie, D. H., & Burke, T. J. (2002). Symptomatic reversal of peripheral neuropathy in patients with diabetes. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 92 (3), 125-130.
Lavery, L.A., Murdoch, D.P., Williams, J., & Lavery, D.C. (2008). Does anodyne light therapy improve peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. Diabetes Care, 31 (2), 316-321.
Pariser, D., Loss, R., Jarratt, M., Abramovits, W., Spencer, J., Geronemus, R., et al. (2008). Topical methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy using red light-emitting diode light for treatment of multiple actinic keratoses: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 59 (4), 569-576.
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2005, August). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Device listing database. Retrieved February 22, 2006 from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/search/search.cfm?db=LST&ID=93425.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/1/2003
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 5/14/2009
ID_BT
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