title: LED phototherapy improves healing of nipple trauma: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a LED phototherapy prototype apparatus in the healing of nipple trauma in breastfeeding women.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is no scientific evidence of an effective treatment for nipple trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  The experimental group was treated with orientation on nipple care and adequate breastfeeding techniques in addition to active LED phototherapy. The control group was treated with orientation on nipple care and adequate breastfeeding techniques in addition to placebo LED phototherapy. Participants were treated twice a week, for a total of eight sessions. Healing of the nipple lesions was measured by a reduction in their area, and decrease in pain intensity was measured in accordance with an 11-point Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale and a standard 7-point patient global impression of change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant reductions in measured nipple lesion area (p<0.001) were observed for both the experimental and control groups with an increase in the number of treatment sessions. A significant difference between the experimental and control groups was observed for the healing of nipple lesions (p<0.001). The pain intensity was significantly reduced only in the experimental group (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results demonstrated the prototype apparatus for LED phototherapy to be an effective tool in accelerating the healing of nipple trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horionte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Emília de Abreu
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Chaves
authors.forename: Angélica Rodrigues
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Suellen Fonsêca
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinotti
authors.forename: Leandro Soares
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D009558:Nipples / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents