High Intensity LED Photobiomodulation Therapy for Chronic Leg and Foot Ulcers

Diabetic and venous ulcers affect many people, and severe cases can end up in amputation and even death because of infection. In 2011, the total cost for care of diabetic foot ulcers alone, to the Canadian health care system, was $547 million. Standard clinical care for these types of wounds has improved but there is still a great need for new wound care treatments to help speed up wound healing and reduce pain. One such treatment is high intensity LED light therapy. There is a long history of light therapy showing faster wound healing, reduced pain and reduced swelling. The research we propose here is to study a new high intensity LED light made by Kerber Applied Research Inc., to see if it reduces pain and speeds up healing lower leg ulcers. This research is a partnership between Kerber Applied Research Inc and the Lethbridge Lower Limb Wound Clinic, an Alberta Health Services program in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Purpose: To test the safety of a new LED light therapy device on patients with chronic diabetic or venous lower extremity ulcers, and to determine whether the light device decreases pain and accelerates wound healing.

Hypothesis: Patients with chronic diabetic or venous foot/leg ulcers treated with standard care plus 10 minutes of high intensity LED light therapy will experience less overall pain associated with their ulcer and the ulcer will heal faster than standard care alone.

Justification: Diabetic and venous foot ulcers are debilitating, costly, extremely painful and interfere significantly with quality of life. Standard care for chronic wounds has improved but there is great need of new treatments to complement wound care, reduce pain, and accelerate wound healing. High intensity LED light therapy is a re-emerging treatment option that is known to decrease inflammation, decrease pain, and increase tissue regeneration.

Objectives: The primary objective is to assess the safety of a high intensity LED light device (KPTL-10) in the treatment of chronic foot and leg ulcers. The secondary objectives are to assess the ability of the KPTL-10 device to reduce pain and accelerate wound healing.

Research Method/Procedures: Participants with chronic foot and leg ulcers less than 8 cm in diameter (longest direction) will randomized into one of 2 groups for this study: 1) to receive a free 10 minute light treatment with the KPTL10 device in addition to standard care, or 2) strictly be a part of the standard care control group (no light treatment). For treatment, the light device is placed at a fixed distance (1 cm) above the wound. All participants will have wound measurements taken with digital software throughout the course of the study to track wound healing. Patients will also record their pain levels by filling out a VAS pain scale throughout the study.

Plan for Data Analysis: For each study participant, detailed Case Report Forms will be completed by study researchers and the principal investigator Dr. Eric Bly at every study appointment. The target numbers for this study data set are 40 treated participants, and 20 control (untreated) participants. These case report forms contain data sections to capture wound sizes, patient experiences post treatment, and pain scores (VAS scale). All data will be stored digitally on a single study computer and manually as printed hardcopies for study records and complete data analysis by Dr. Eric Bly and Illumacell's clinical team.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* diabetic and venous lower limb ulcers less than or equal to 5cm in diameter
* healable wounds
* non-cancerous wounds

Exclusion Criteria:

* pregnant or breast feeding women
* participants taking photosensitive drugs for concomitant disease