Efficacy of multiwavelength light therapy in the treatment of pressure ulcers in subjects with disorders of the spinal cord: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of multiwavelength light therapy in the treatment of pressure ulcers in subjects with spinal cord disorders.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Neurologic rehabilitation ward of a referral center in India.


METHODS
Thirty-five subjects with spinal cord injury, with 64 pressure ulcers (stage 2, n=55; stage 3, n=8; stage 4, n=1), were randomized into treatment and control groups. One subject refused consent. Mean duration of ulcers in the treatment group was 34.2+/-45.5 days and in the control group, 57.1+/-43.5 days.


METHODS
Treatment group received 14 sessions of multiwavelength light therapy, with 46 probes of different wavelengths from a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser source, 3 times a week. Energy used was 4.5 J/cm(2). Ulcers in the control group received sham treatment.


METHODS
Healing of the ulcer, defined as the complete closure of the wound with healthy scar tissue, time taken for the ulcer to heal, and stage of the ulcer and Pressure Sore Status Tool score 14 days after last treatment.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in healing between the treatment and control groups. Eighteen ulcers in treatment group and 14 in control group healed completely ( P =.802). Mean time taken by the ulcers to heal was 2.45+/-2.06 weeks in the treatment group and 1.78+/-2.13 weeks in the control group ( P =.330). Time taken for stage 3 and 4 ulcers to reach stage 2 was 2.25+/-0.5 weeks in treatment group and 4.33+/-1.53 weeks in control group ( P =.047).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiwavelength light therapy from a gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser source did not influence overall healing pressure ulcers. Limited evidence suggested that it improved healing of stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers.
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.
Arun B
AB
Taly
Krishan P
KP
Sivaraman Nair
Thyloth
T
Murali
Archana
A
John
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing