Effects of multiwavelength photobiomodulation for the treatment of traumatic soft tissue injuries associated with bone fractures: A double‐blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

• Published in: Journal of biophotonics Vol. 16; no. 5; pp. e202200299 - n/a
• Main Authors: Jana Neto, Frederico Carlos, Martimbianco, Ana Luiza Cabrera, Mesquita‐Ferrari, Raquel Agnelli, Bussadori, Sandra Kalil, Alves, Gustavo Porto, Almeida, Paulo Victor Dias, Delgado, Felipe Guimaraes, Fonseca, Lucas Resende, Gama, Maiara Zeni Graiff, Jorge, Mariana Djrdjrjan, Hamblin, Michael R., Fernandes, Kristianne Porta Santos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA 01.05.2023; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Ankle; bone fracture; Double-blind studies; External Fixators; Fractures; Fractures, Bone - complications; Fractures, Bone - therapy; Humans; Injuries; Light therapy; multiwavelength LED; non‐pharmaceutical pain control; Pain; photobiomodulation; randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial; Soft Tissue Injuries - radiotherapy; Soft tissues; Subgroups; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing; Wound infection; photobiomodulation; non-pharmaceutical pain control; randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial; multiwavelength LED; bone fracture
• ISSN: 1864-063X; 1864-0648; 1864-0648
• DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202200299

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of multiwavelength photobiomodulation (MPBM) in healing soft tissue injuries associated with tibial and/or ankle fractures. Participants were randomized into the MPBM or control group. Primary outcome was wound healing, measured by the Bates‐Jensen scale. Assessments were performed daily. Twenty‐seven hospitalized adults were included. MPBM showed an improvement in the daily mean Bates‐Jensen scale (MPBM 32.1 vs. control 34.2; p = 0.029), daily mean pain score change (MPBM 0.5 vs. control 0.2; p = 0.04) and occurrence of infection at the site of the external fixator pins (MPBM 15.3% vs. control 57.1%; p = 0.02). MPBM group also showed faster‐wound resolution (MPBM 13.1 vs. control 23.1 days). Subgroup analysis showed improvement in the MPBM group among less severe patients on the Bates‐Jensen scale (MPBM 27.4 vs. control 34.7; p = 0.0081) and mean time for wound resolution (MPBM 7.0 vs. control 14.6 days; p = 0.03). MPBM appears safe and effective in reducing wound resolution time, infection in the surgical pin sites, reported pain and time before definitive surgery. Schematic representation showing the effects and chromophores of the different light sources used in the study.