Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Combined with Polarized Light Therapy on Neuropathic Foot Ulcer: A Randomized Controlled...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Diabetic Foot Complications
• Neuropathy Treatment

Background:

• Peripheral neuritis and neuropathic foot ulcers cause significant functional impairment and amputation risk.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) and polarized light therapy (PLT) individually show promise in improving neuropathy and wound healing.
• Tissue oxygenation and cellular regeneration are key factors in managing these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the combined efficacy of HBO followed by PLT in treating neuropathic foot ulcers.
• To assess the impact of this combined therapy on peripheral neuropathy.
• To compare the outcomes of combined HBO + PLT with standard care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 40 patients aged 55-70 years.
• Patients were assigned to either an experimental group (HBO + PLT) or a control group (standard care).
• Key outcome measures included ulcer volume, transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), and Michigan Neuropathy Questionnaire (MNQ) scores, assessed over four weeks.

Main Results:

• The experimental group receiving HBO + PLT showed significant improvements in ulcer volume, TcPO2, and MNQ scores compared to the control group.
• These improvements indicate enhanced tissue oxygenation and reduced neuropathy.
• The combined therapy proved effective as an adjunctive treatment for neuropathic foot ulcers.

Conclusions:

• The combination of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and polarized light therapy offers a significant benefit for patients with neuropathic foot ulcers.
• This therapeutic approach effectively enhances tissue oxygenation (TcPO2) and improves outcomes for peripheral neuropathy.
• The findings support HBO followed by PLT as a valuable adjunctive therapy for managing these complex conditions.