Blue light emission in the management of hard-to-heal wounds

Blue light (400 and 450 nm) contributes to bringing the inflammatory phase under control, increases angiogenesis, stimulates the metabolism of all cellular processes, reduces scar formation, increases collagen production, and decreases the bacterial burden.

The aim of this study was to promote the healing process in 20 hard-to-heal wounds using a portable light-emitting diodes device that emits blue light (Emoled™). The primary endpoint of the study was to calculate in the three etiologic groups the reduction in wound size by the average delta area in square centimeters and as a percentage, and by the average healing rate (mm/days). The secondary endpoint was to assess the Wound Bed Score (WBS) and to assess patients' pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS).

At week 4 the average healing rate was 0.098 mm/days for venous leg ulcers, 0.353 mm/days for traumatic ulcers, and 0.09 mm/days for vasculitis. Overall, 16 patients had a reduction in wound size, two patients were completely healed, and there was no improvement in two patients. At week 4, the average wound bed score had increased to 12.8 and average pain had decreased to 2.35. Almost all patients (N.=19) showed pain reduction, and all the patients increased wound bed score.

The blue LED device is promising in terms of promoting wound healing, improving WBS and reducing pain in patients affected by long-term wounds that do not respond to standard treatment.