Efficacy of low-level laser therapy for chronic cutaneous ulceration in humans: a review and discussion

Abstract

Chronic wounds, particularly venous ulcerations, are notoriously difficult to heal. Because current therapies are variable in their ability to induce complete healing, there remains a need to develop adjunctive treatments that can improve or accelerate the healing process. The use of low-energy lasers to stimulate wound healing has been pursued over many decades in studies of varying quality. This form of treatment has had high appeal due to its novelty, relative ease, and low morbidity profile. The authors reviewed the available published literature on low-level laser technology in an attempt to provide cumulative insight on the effect of this treatment for wound healing.