Adherence to Self-care and Quality of Life of Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers Treated with Low-Level Laser Therapy: An Exploratory Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with a diabetic foot ulcer undergoing treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at 904 nm and its association with self-care. METHODS: In this randomized, exploratory study, participants were divided into the following four groups: control group (CG) with LLLT placebo, LLLT group 1 (LG1) at 10 J/cm2, LLLT group 2 (LG2) at 8 J/cm2, and LLLT group 3 (LG3) at 4 J/cm2. Participants received light therapy (or placebo) twice a week, for a total of 20 sessions. Researchers assessed participants' QoL using the Short-Form 36 questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-two participants were included in the analysis (CG = 18, LG1 = 14, LG2 = 17, LG3 = 13). The LG1 group showed a higher proportion of healing, whereas the CG group showed a lower proportion than the other groups. The LG1 group showed a relationship between physical limitations and blood glucose monitoring, pain and foot care, and general health status (GHS) and foot care. The GL2 group showed a relationship between physical limitations and blood glucose monitoring, vitality and foot care, and GHS and diet. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level laser therapy had a positive impact on QoL as assessed by the Short-Form 36 questionnaire (functional capacity, vitality, and pain domains), and there was a positive association between QoL and self-care in the LLLT groups (physical limitations, pain, GHS, and vitality domains).

Dose-response and efficacy of 904 nm photobiomodulation on diabetic foot ulcers healing: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the impact of a 904 nm photobiomodulation (PBM) on diabetic ulcers using varying dosages. METHODS: The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that compared treatments using PBM (GaAs 904 nm 30w) with three different energy densities (4 J/cm2; 8 J/cm2; 10 J/cm2) in the healing process of non-infected diabetic foot ulcers. Eighty volunteers (48.75% female; 58.5 ± 11.1 years) were randomized into three intervention groups treated with PBM and one control group (PBM placebo). Volunteers performed up 20 interventions with PBM, either placebo or actual, in conjunction with conventional therapy, which involved dressing the wound with Helianthus annuus vegetable oil. The primary variable was the ulcer size reduction rate. RESULTS: GaAs 904 nm PBM yielded a clinically and significant ulcer size rate reduction of diabetic foot ulcers, independently of energy density range (p < 0.05). However, 10 J/cm² had 60% of completely healed ulcers and the highest proportion of patients reaching 50% of ulcer reduction rate after 5 weeks of treatment. In addition, only 10 J/cm² showed a significant difference between control group after a 10-week follow-up (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GaAs 904 nm PBM was effective in treating diabetic foot ulcers in this study and a dosage of 10 J/cm², after a 10-week follow-up, proved to be the most effective compared to the other groups. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04246814.

Morphological and functional changes in skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Changes in the skeletal muscle are common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These changes impair your motor skills. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to investigate changes in skeletal muscle in patients with T2DM. METHODS: The search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until December 1, 2021. Observational studies that evaluated musculoskeletal changes in people with T2DM were included. The review was based on PRISMA recommendations. The primary parameters analyzed were muscle strength, muscle mass, muscle power, and muscle endurance. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies were included, with a total of 26,042 participants. The results revealed that T2DM is associated with a reduction in handgrip [-2.64 (CI 95% = -3.33 to -1.95, Z = -7.50, p < .0001], and knee extension muscle strength [-0.56 (CI 95% = -0.76 to -0.36, Z = -5.64, p < .0001)], a higher percentage of type II fibers [11.74 (CI 95% = 6.24 to 17.25, Z = 4.18, p < .0001)], and a lower percentage of type I fibers [-15.69 (CI 95% = -18.22 to -13.16, Z = -12.16, p < .0001], in addition to a greater thickness of the calcaneus tendon (p < .0001). CONCLUSION: Individuals with T2DM present skeletal muscle impairments, mainly reduced muscle strength, mass, and endurance; increase in the thickness of the calcaneus tendon, and alteration in the proportion of type I and II fibers, even in the initial stage of the disease.

Dose-response and efficacy of low-level laser therapy on diabetic foot ulcers healing: Protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence shows that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective non-invasive and non-pharmacological strategy to treat diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). However, knowledge of parameterization efficacy remains unclear. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, controlled trial will be conducted at the Physical Therapy University Clinic. Eighty volunteers will be randomized into four groups. The control group will receive placebo LLLT + conventional treatment. The three active groups will receive 10 (G10), 8 (G8), or 4 J/cm2 (G4) of GaAs 904 nm LLLT plus conventional treatment twice a week for 20 sessions. Conventional treatment involves cleaning and dressing the ulcers. The main outcome will be the area of ulcers and Wagner classification score. Assessments will take place before treatment, after 5 and 10 weeks of treatment, and in the third month after treatment, by a blinded evaluator. IMPLICATIONS: This trial can potentially provide important information and assist in clinical decision-making regarding DFU treatment with LLLT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04246814, registered 29th January 2020.