A Double-Blind Study on the Effectiveness of Polarized Light Therapy in the Treatment of Venous leg Ulcers—Pilot Study

Abstract

Vein diseases are one of the most common civilization diseases. The most advanced form chronic venous insufficiency are venous leg ulcers. The study included 40 patients, 20 male (50%) and 20 female (50%) in age between 52 and 88 years (mean age: 68.00 ± 8.55 years) with venous leg ulcers lasting 12.50 ± 5.45 months. Patients were distributed randomly in a double-blind study into two equal groups including 20 patients each (group 1—polarized light therapy and group 2—sham exposure). Patients from both groups received routine pharmacological treatment, specialistic medical dressings and compression therapy. In addition, patients were exposed to a cycle of polarized light therapy procedures or to sham exposures (30 procedures performed in two series of 15 procedures). Wound surface area was evaluated by computerized planimetry and pain intensity was assessed with the use of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) before and after therapy (2.5 months). The analysis showed a statistically significant reduction of surface ulcers area between groups 1 and 2. The median (IQR) size of wounds in group 1 was 2.4 (1.95–2.9) cm2, in group 2; 2.8 (2.6–3.1) cm2 ( p = 0.038). The level of pain (VAS) after treatment was assessed in group 1, median (IQR): 2 (2–3) points, in group 2 4.5 (4–5) points; and the observed difference was also statistically significant ( p < 0.001). In group 1, after treatment, the area of ulcers decreased—median (IQR): 33.05 (28.7–41.48) %, in group 2 by 18.99 (15–24.4) % ( p < 0.001). In group 1, the pain intensity measured using the VAS scale decreased with a median (IQR): 71.42 (61.25–71.42) %, in group 2: 37.5 (28.57–50) % ( p < 0.001). Complex therapy with polarized light therapy added to standard care was more effective than standard care alone in reducing of ulcers surface area and intensity of pain ailments in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers.