There has been an increase in the clinical application of low-level laser irradiation therapy (LLLT) for the pain treatment. They have also reported the efficacy of LLLT for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and reducing its symptom such as iching. We think that LLLT has the clinical effect of treatment for AD supposing from our research result, showed here, such as the suppress of sympathetic nerves due to para-stellate ganglion laser irradiation and the potent dilation in the laser-irradiated arteriole which led to marked increase in the arteriolar blood flow.

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Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by several clinical and immunological alteration. Because of side effect problem of steroid ointment, treatment of atopic dermatitis has been confusing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of low-energy laser irradiation on atopic dermatitis. A gallium-aluminum-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) diode laser was used for the skin lesion of atopic dermatitis. Based on the present study, laser therapy may be of theraptic benefit to atopic dermatitis as step 2.

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Patients with atopic dermatitis were treated with both the improvement in life-style such as sleep, food (especially sweetmeats, sweetener) and alcohol and skin care, and diode low reactive therapy (LLLT). Adiode laser system (Luketron) emits a continuous wave beam at a wavelength of 830nm. We treated the patients with Luketron on neck around the stellate ganglion for one minutes (one side) in order to control the sympathetic activity more than once a week. We evaluated symptoms of the patients in pruritus, erythema, xerosis and total symptoms. The evaluation of these clinical manifestations was conducted by comparing the symptoms before and after LLLT. Each clinical manifestations out of 10 levels (10: the clinical manifestation at first visit, O: complete recovery) was marked by the patients themselves. Number of the cases which the symptoms were improved half or less (5?) after LLIT was 75 out of 100 cases (75%) in pruritus, 71 out of 96 cases (74%) in erythema, 47 out of 89 cases (52, 80%) in xerosis, and 72 out of 101 cases (71.3%) in total symptoms. The relationship between sleep and pruritus, erythema, xerosis or total symptoms was determined by using X² test. After LLLT, number of the cases improved half or less (5?) in sleep and in pruritus (p<0.0005), erythema (p<0.00001), xerosis (p<0.001) and total symptoms (p<0.000001) are very consistent. Number of the cases which sleep was improved half or less (5?) after 1?(p<0.05), 2?(p<0.05), 3?(p<0.01), 4?( p<0.01) and 5?(p<0.05) of LLLT was fewer than those of 1<, 2<, 3<, 4< and 5< of LLLT respectively by using X² test.

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Delayed branch phenomenon is one of the characteristic changes seen in atopic dermatitis. We examined the effect of low level laser therapy directed to the region surrounding the stellate ganglion, in conjunction with cutaneous injections of acetylcholine, on reducing the area affected by delayed branch phenomenon. The subjects were classified into the in-patient and out-patient groups: out-patients subjected to laser irradiation (MEDILASER SOFT 1000, Mochida JAPAN) once or twice times a week (hereafter group 1) and in-patients subjected to laser irradiation five times a week (hereafter group 2). In addition, there was a group comprised of in-patients and out-patients who received no irradiation. Following irradiation, acetylcholine (1.0m mol/l, 0.05ml) was injected into the skin and the area affected by delayed branch phenomenon was measured. The affected area was reduced ten fold in group 2. In contrast, the affected areas among non-irradiated in-patients and out-patients showed no reduction at all. These results suggest that low level laser therapy directed to the region surrounding the stellate ganglion region is effective in reducing the area affected by delayed branch phenomenon in atopic dermatitis.

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Low power laser treatment on the stellate ganglion was added to the standard treatments for 10 cases of severe atopic dermatitis. Severity of skin lesion, itching and insomnia were scored. And their erythema was measured using Image Colorimeter that we developed. Serum examination for eosinophil cationic protain (ECP) was also performed.
All of those improved after low power laser treatment, which was valuable.

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The results of a questionnaire survey concerning low power laser therapy irradiation on the area near the stellate ganglion for the treatment of atopic dermatitis were reviewed. Response to the survey were received from 16 patients (male 6, female 10) of atopic dematitis. The patient's ages ranged from 13 to 72 years(mean 27.8 years). Two GaAIAs diode low power laser systems producing an output power 150 mW and 1000 mW at a wavelength of 830 nm were used. Both the itchy sensation scores and the clinical skin symptom scores decreased to 4.4 point after the laser therapy from 10 point before laser therapy. Eight patiens out of 16 were satisfied by the laser therapy. The mean of the degree of satisfaction was 75/100 point. No clinically significant adverse effect resulting from the laser therapy was noted. Our results suggested that the low power laser therapy irradiation on the area near the stellate ganglion for the treatment of atopic dermatitis may be an effective adjunctive therapy for atopic dermatitis.

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