Treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy: Combination Therapy Using LED Light, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, and an Oral Dietary Supplement

Objectives: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is a significant contributor to disability in the elderly. It is also one of the most prevalent complications of type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. PN is commonly associated with pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping in the feet and legs. Current treatment options are limited to controlling pain, seizures and use of antidepressant medications. These treatments have undesirable side effects and don’t stop PN progression. Here we utilized a combination of individual-specific modalities to improve local circulation and relieve PN symptoms. Methods: We conducted an open-label, multicenter pilot trial with 34 subjects (19 males and 15 females ranging from 40 - 85 years of age). All of the participants were diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and had bilateral symptoms in their feet, and many reported the same symptoms (pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and cramping) in their lower legs. The duration of symptoms ranged from four months to over six years. On Day 0, subjects were given a 90-day supply of the oral supplement with dosing instructions and a LED light therapy device. They also received three platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in their lower extremities. Subjects also received an extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) treatment for each foot and subsequently twice per week for the first six weeks, then once weekly for the duration of the study. Subjects filled out the Brief Pain Index (BPI) at weekly intervals. On Day 90, subjects completed the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) survey. Results: There were significant responses to pain, as evidenced by BPI scores at weeks 8, 9, 10 and 11 (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.003, respectively). Analysis of the final day PGIC survey showed a favorable outcome for 73% of participants (p = 0.003), with the majority reporting Very Much Improved. Conclusions: By utilizing a multi-modality treatment protocol that includes PRP, LED light therapy, ESWT and an oral dietary supplement, we observed significant reductions in BPI scores. Quality of life and their overall impression of change (PGIC) were significantly improved, and there were no significant side effects.

Two-dimensional materials for light emitting applications:Achievement,challenge and future perspectives

The two-dimensional(2D)materials have been widely developed recently in material characteristics with advanced optical and electrical properties,and they have been extensively studied as candidates for the next generation of optoelectronic devices.This review will mainly focus on the preparation methods and the light emitting applications of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs),2D black phosphorene(BP)and 2D perovskites.The review will first introduce the preparation methods for TMDs and BP.Due to the variations of band structure,exciton binding energies and light-matter interaction in TMDs and BP,the different light emitting devices(LEDs)designs based on TMDs and BP will be discussed and summarized.Then the review will turn the focus to 2D perovskites,starting with a description of the preparation methods for the different structural perovskites.In order to review and summarize the achievements of 2D perovskites-based LEDs,the high efficiency perovskites LEDs are discussed.Finally,the review will present challenges,opportunities,and outlook for the future development of 2D materials-based light emitting applications.