Cross-Over Study Evaluating Photobiomodulation in Pain Control in the Lower Limb

TL;DR

This study shows that photobiomodulation, a light therapy, can help reduce pain in patients with chronic leg ulcers.

Contribution

The study demonstrates photobiomodulation's effectiveness as an adjuvant therapy for pain control in chronic leg ulcers.

Findings

18 out of 20 patients experienced immediate pain improvement after the first photobiomodulation session.

Pain relief lasted at least four days for most patients, though one case showed no improvement.

One patient's pain was resolved after treating an infection identified through biopsy and antibiogram.

Abstract

Introduction

Photobiomodulation is an emerging treatment modality in dermatology, with increasing use in doctors’ offices. Photobiomodulation is the use of various light sources in the red light (620-700 nm) and near-infrared (700-1440 nm) spectrums as a form of light therapy.

Objective

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the use of photobiomodulation to improve pain in patients who take analgesics daily for chronic non-arterial leg ulcers.

Method

A cohort trial was performed with 20 patients to evaluate the improvement in pain, patient tolerance to treatment, and evolution of chronic, difficult-to-heal leg ulcers treated with low-frequency laser. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, US). Statistical analysis used the Stats Direct 3 program with significance being set at an alpha error of 5% (p-value <0.05).

Results

An improvement in pain immediately after the first session was experienced by 18/20 patients; these patients remained pain-free for at least four days. One patient had suffered much pain during the entire day; a biopsy with culture and antibiogram was performed with the pain improving after treating an infection with appropriate antibiotics. However, one other case reported no improvement in the pain.

Conclusion

Photobiomodulation is an optional adjuvant therapy to improve pain in the treatment of chronic, difficult-to-heal leg ulcers.

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