Low-level laser therapy in ulcerative lesions in leprosy: a systematic review.
Eduarda Damin, Jaqueline de Araujo Pires, Renata Anddresa Stachelski et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) improves healing of ulcerative lesions in people with leprosy. Searches identified 259 records; after duplicate removal and full-text assessment, three studies involving 49 patients were included. Two studies reported positive effects on ulcer healing, and the review concluded that LLLT reduced lesion size. However, none of the included studies was judged to have low risk of bias, limiting confidence in the evidence.
Key findings
- Three studies involving 49 patients met the review’s inclusion criteria.
- Two of the three studies reported positive effects of LLLT on leprosy-ulcer healing.
- No included study was judged to have low risk of bias.
Why it matters
Leprosy-related ulcers can complicate a disease that affects peripheral nerves, and this review examines a potential adjunctive approach to healing. The reported reductions in lesion size are encouraging but rest on a small evidence base with no low-risk-of-bias studies. Clinicians should therefore interpret the apparent benefit cautiously while stronger primary research is needed.
What to keep in mind
Only three studies involving 49 patients were included, and none had low risk of bias.