Positive Health Online

Abstract

CARVALHO and COLLEAGUES, 1. Universidade Estadual do Piauí, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Teresina, PI, Brazil; 2. FACID|DeVry, Teresina PI, Brazil; 3. Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil set out to analyze the effective of low-level laser therapy with Calendula officinalis oil for diabetic foot ulcers.

Background

To evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy isolated and associated with Calendula officinalis oil in treating diabetic foot ulcers.

Methodology

An experimental, randomized, controlled, prospective, interventional clinical case study using a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 32 diabetic patients of both genders. Participants were randomly divided into four groups. Doppler Ultrasound evaluation of the Ankle-Brachial Index, brief pain inventory and analog pain scale were performed at baseline and after 30 days.

Results

Reduced pain was observed in the Low-level laser therapy and Low-level laser therapy associated with Essential Fatty Acids groups (p<0.01). Regarding the Ankle-Brachial Index and Doppler Ultrasound, all groups remained stable. By analyzing lesion area reduction, Low-level laser therapy associated with Essential fatty acids group showed a significance of p=0.0032, and the Low-level laser therapy group showed p=0.0428.

Conclusion

Low-level laser therapy, performed alone or associated with the Calendula officinalis oil was effective in relieving pain and accelerating the tissue repair process of diabetic foot.

References

Carvalho AF1, Feitosa MC1, Coelho NP1, Rebêlo VC1, Castro JG2, Sousa PR2, Feitosa VC2, Arisawa EA3. Low-level laser therapy and Calendula officinalis in repairing diabetic foot ulcers. [Article in English, Portuguese] Rev Esc Enferm USP. 50(4):628-634. doi: 10.1590/S0080-623420160000500013. Jul-Aug 2016.