USE OF PHOTOBIOMODULATION IN THE HEALING OF DIFFICULT-TO-HEAL LEG ULCERS: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Leg ulcers are characterized by a prolonged course, delayed healing and high recurrence rates, bringing a great challenge to clinical treatment and care of people. Its prevalence increases with age, which also affects its recurrence and adherence to treatment. Objective: to compare the effect of adjuvant photobiomodulation versus conventional treatment alone on the healing of leg ulcers. Method: single-center, randomized clinical trial with 17 people treated at a referral service. The outcome of interest was wound healing. People with leg ulcers who had the lesion for six weeks were included. Data collection was done through a sociodemographic questionnaire, a form with aspects of life and clinical data, and the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing/adapted version for ulcer evaluation. Analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0, and descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results: the clinical indicators Amount of exudation and Lesion area showed a statistically significant difference in the intervention group. Conclusions: adjuvant photobiomodulation compared to conventional treatment returned better results in the healing process of ischemic leg ulcers.