Abstract
Background and aims: Monochromatic pulsating light may have effects of importance for wound healing, and promising results were obtained in an open study on the healing of pressure ulcers, which motivated the present study. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four in- and outpatients with grade II and III ulcers were treated with monochromatic pulsating light or placebo over the ulcerated area, according to a specific therapeutic program. Results: No significant effects were observed in the total material. In a sub-analysis of grade II ulcers, there was a tendency toward better healing in the monochromatic light group (p=0.06). A significantly larger reduction in pressure ulcer size was noted among patients in the treatment group with low body weight (BMI <20). Conclusions: Monochromatic pulsating light may have effects on pressure ulcer healing, and a new study focusing only on grade II ulcers is under way.
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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03327378.
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Dehlin, O., Elmståhl, S. & Gottrup, F. Monochromatic phototherapy in elderly patients: A new way of treating chronic pressure ulcers?. Aging Clin Exp Res 15, 259–263 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324507
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324507