Visible Light-Induced Healing of Diabetic or Venous Foot Ulcers: A Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-healing ulcers represent a significant dermatological problem. Recently, conventional therapy-resistant chronic ulcers have been treated with low energy lasers or light-emitting diodes in the visible and near IR region, but only a few placebo-controlled double-blind studies have been performed to support the efficacy of this approach. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a broadband (400-800 nm) visible light device in the treatment of leg or foot ulcers. METHODS: A placebo-controlled double-blind study using broadband light source (400-800 nm) was performed on patients with diabetic foot ulcers or patients with chronic leg ulcers. The treatment group was illuminated with 180 mW/cm(2) broadband light twice a day for 4 min/session, while patients in the placebo group received non-healing light fluency (10 mW/cm(2)) projections. The treatment group included 10 patients with a total of 19 ulcers, whereas in the placebo group, 6 patients had 6 ulcers. The follow-up period was 12 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the follow up, all the wounds were closed in 9 out of 10 patients (90%) from the treatment group, whereas in the placebo group only 2 out of 6 patients exhibited closed wounds (33%). The reduction in wound size in the treatment group versus the placebo group was 89% and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this small scale placebo-controlled double-blind study, broadband (400-800 nm) visible light was an effective modality for the treatment of leg or foot ulcers.