Red Light Therapy Pad Comparison Chart

This number is provided for those who want to compare the total number of LEDs with other similar products. However, the number of LEDs is not the most important factor in understanding the utility and effectiveness of therapy. What’s important is that the device is equipped with proper wavelengths, adequate output power, and energy density. LEDs vary widely in output power: A single high-power LED can produce more power than 10-20 regular LEDs used in other products.

Red LEDs are high-power in nature, producing 10 times the therapeutic energy of common LEDs. The output wavelength is 660 nanometers (nm), which is essential for setting up the conditions necessary for stimulating the benefits of photobiomodulation.

1. Wavelength is the distance between adjacent peaks of a periodic energy wave. Light energy is periodic wave energy. Longer wavelengths (like 660 nm) appear red, shorter wavelengths (like 550 nm) appear green, and the shortest wavelengths (450 nm) appear blue.
2. A nanometer, usually represented as “nm,” is one billionth of a meter.
3. Photobiomodulation is the process of accelerating (modulating) the biological processes in the cells (bio) by applying light energy (photo, short for photon, which is a unit of light energy). The process in the cells accelerates the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate — the universal energy currency of life). ATP is the energy molecule used in 23 chemical reactions in the cell, reactions that are essential for life and healing. The photons required for this acceleration are wavelengths of 660 nm and 850 nm.

Near infrared LEDs are high-power, producing 10 times the therapeutic energy of common LEDs. The output wavelength is 850 nm, which is essential for stimulating photobiomodulation (see above). The term “near infrared” means the energy is near but not in the spectrum that we can see. Therefore, the energy emitted is invisible, and although we can’t see the energy, the LEDs are still “on” and, therefore, providing the necessary energy for photobiomodulation.

Average power output is the total power output averaged over the whole treatment area. Average power output includes both the energy from red and near-infrared LEDs. The data is rounded to the nearest 500 milliwatt (mw). Due to slight variances in LED output, Average Power Output varies slightly for each light pad.

1. A milliwatt, commonly indicated by mw or mW, is one thousandth of a Watt. Therefore, 1,000 mw is equal to 1 Watt.
2. The large light pad output of 8,000 mw, or 8 watts, falls under the category of many Class IV lasers that cost $10,000+.
3. The output power is measured with light technologies, ILT 1400-A Radiometer Photometer and probe model SPL024F, both calibrated to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards.

Peak Power Density is the maximum power concentration anywhere on the light pad and is measured in power per area or mw/cm2 (milliwatt per centimeter square). The value is the same for all light pad sizes. This value is important because if the peak power density is beyond acceptable levels, it will burn, char, or damage soft tissue.

1. The power density provided by lasers is nearly always in the tissue-damaging range. They’re dangerous for the non-trained user. A trained user knows to keep moving the laser over the treatment area and never keep it in one place. If a user were to stop moving the laser, the tissue under the probe would overheat and eventually burn.
2. Equine and Canine Light Therapy pads are designed with an acceptable power density so that the tissue under investigation won’t overheat. Per international medical device standards, IEC 60601-1 and IEC 60601-2, the tissue should never exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, special training isn’t required to administer light therapy with Equine and Canine Light Therapy pads.

This is the total energy (measured in joules) delivered over the whole treatment area during a standard 15-minute treatment session. Total energy delivered includes both the energy from red LEDs and near-infrared LEDs. The data is rounded. Due to slight variances in LED output, Total Energy Delivered varies slightly for each light pad.

1. A joule is a measurement of energy. It’s calculated by multiplying power by time. One joule of energy is one Watt for one second.
2. Some of the latest research pays special interest to the total energy needed to deliver effective photobiomodulation. The reason research may pay special interest to total energy delivered is likely due to the dispersion of light in the tissue, in addition to the demonstrated effect of positive results far from the treatment area.

This is the average energy delivered per area in the standard treatment time of 15 minutes. It’s calculated by dividing the Total Energy Delivered by the treatment area. Energy Density is presented as joules per square centimeter.

1. The North America Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy (NAALT), through its associated researchers, has determined that six to eight joules per square centimeter is adequate for delivering effective treatments.
2. All Equine and Canine Light Therapy pads exceed the above-mentioned value. The NAALT standard is for surface or near-surface issues. Deeper-seated issues within tissues — tissues like muscles and joints — require more energy due to dispersion and attenuation. More energy can be delivered to muscles and joints by engaging in multiple, consecutive treatments.
3. Adequate Energy Density and wavelengths are the essential elements needed for effective light therapy.