Effects of Low-Power Light Therapy on the Tissue Repair Process of Chronic Wounds in Diabetic Feet

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of the therapeutic use of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on the tissue repair process of chronic wounds in patients with diabetic feet through the analysis of Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) scales, pain and the measurement done using the ImageJ^© software.

Methods: This clinical trial was carried out with 18 patients 30-59 years of age, who had chronic wounds on their foot due to complications of diabetes mellitus. The patients were randomly allocated in two different groups of equal numbers: Control and Laser Groups. The LLLT equipment used in the research has a wavelength of 660 nm, 30 mW power, continuous mode emission, 6 J/cm² dosimetry, 48/48 h in a 4-week period. Measurement and the aspect of wounds were noted in the PUSH scale and the pain was evaluated weekly. The Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test was used to compare groups.

Results: The Laser Group presented a significant increase of the tissue repair index when compared with the Control Group, with a significant statistical difference (p < 0.013). There was no significant difference between the groups in all the weeks using the PUSH scale.

Conclusions: The use of LLLT on chronic wounds in a diabetic foot demonstrated efficacy on the progression of the tissue repair process in a short period.

Keywords: chronic wounds; diabetic foot; phototherapy; wound healing.