Low Laser Power for Wound Healing of Diabetic Foot

Ray Wibowo, Nury Nusdwinuringtyas, Elida Ilyas, Em Yunir, Suryanto

ABSTRACT

Objective :

To enhance alternative of wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer using Low Level Laser Therapy, by evaluating the effect of Low Level Laser Therapy in the process of wound healing in diabetic foot ulcer

Design :

Experimental clinical trial

Setting :

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Metabolic & Endocrine clinic Department of Internal Medicine Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta and inpatient ward of Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta

Subject :

34 patient with diabetic foot ulcer, 17 in the intervention group and 17 in the control group. Both group are homogen in terms of age distribution, BMI, duration of Diabetic Mellitus, level of HbA1C, duration of ulcearation and initial ulcer size.

Intervention :

Intervention group had standard wound dressing with NaCl 0.9% combined with Low Level Laser stimulation of 5 Joule/cm² , twice weekly. The control group had standard wound dressing with NaCl 0.9% twice weekly. Ulcer size was evaluated weekly for the duration of 5 weeks

Main outcome measure :

Ulcer healing, determined by changes in ulcer size

Result :

Rate of wound healing in the intervention group was significantly higher than in the control group

Conclusion :

Wound dressing combined with Low Level Laser stimulation, can accelerate wound healing, determined by higher wound healing rate

Keywords : Diabetic foot, ulcer, Low Level Laser therapy