Blue Light Therapy in the Management of Chronic Wounds: A Narrative Review of its Physiological Basis and Clinical Evidence

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic wounds are a significant problem worldwide, with substantial cost to health care systems; thus, a minimally invasive and well-tolerated treatment is attractive. Blue light has shown promise in wound healing through the principle of photobiomodulation. Objective. This review examines the physiological effects of blue light on tissue and the hypothesis that appropriate application of blue light in conjunction with SOC improves wound healing compared with SOC alone. Methods. The authors searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library to identify literature on the mechanism of action of blue light and then examined the clinical evidence. Results. Key physiological pathways of blue light include generation of ROS and nitric oxide, resulting in promotion of angiogenesis, reduced inflammation, and direct antimicrobial effects. These reactions are seen only at low doses; in fact, higher doses may be harmful to tissue. The only primary study with statistical analyses demonstrated wound area reduction of 51% (P =.007) in blue light–irradiated wounds compared with SOC alone. Conclusions. Blue light applied following a strict protocol is safe and shows promise in the management of chronic wounds. The current evidence is poor, however, and randomized trials are required to confirm its clinical utility.