Abstract
Low-intensity laser irradiation has been shown to induce wound healing in conditions of reduced microcirculation, which is in part explained by systemic effects. We therefore investigated such a potential systemic effect of low-intensity laser irradiation on skin blood circulation in patients with diabetic microangiopathy. Patients with diabetic microangiopathy were randomized to receive either a single helium–neon (HeNe, 632.8 nm) low-intensity laser irradiation with a dose of 30 J/cm 2 or a sham irradiation over the forefoot region in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Skin blood circulation by means of temperature recordings over forefoot regions was detected by infrared thermography. Following a single transcutaneous low-intensity laser irradiation, a rise in skin temperature in both feet of the subjects in the laser group was noted, whereas in both feet of the subjects in the placebo group a drop in skin temperature occurred. The baseline-adjusted skin temperature 15 min after the end of the irradiation was significantly higher in the laser-treated forefeet compared to the placebo-“treated” forefeet ( p < 0.0001); the baseline-adjusted difference in the temperature was 1.94 ± 0.35°C. Simultaneously, the baseline-adjusted skin temperature was significantly higher in the laser-untreated forefeet compared to the placebo-“untreated” forefeet ( P < 0.0001); the baseline-adjusted difference was 1.70 ± 0.33°C. Our data show a significant increase in skin circulation due to athermic laser irradiation in patients with diabetic microangiopathy and point to the possibility of inducing systemic effects.
Published Version
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