Noninvasive Assessment of Low Power Laser Radiation Effect on Skin Wound Healing Using Infrared Thermography

Authors: M.A. Calin, S.V. Parasca, M.R. Calin, D. Savastru, D. Manea

Abstract:

The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of laser radiation on the skin wound healing using infrared thermography as non-invasive method for the monitoring of the skin temperature changes during laser treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were used in this study. A skin lesion was performed at the leg on all rats. The animals were exposed to laser radiation (λ = 670 nm, P = 15 mW, DP = 16.31 mW/cm2) for 600 s. Thermal images of wound were acquired before and after laser irradiation. The results have demonstrated that the tissue temperature decreases from 35.5±0.50°C in the first treatment day to 31.3±0.42°C after the third treatment day. This value is close to the normal value of the skin temperature and indicates the end of the skin repair process. In conclusion, the improvements in the wound healing following exposure to laser radiation have been revealed by infrared thermography.

Keywords: skin, wound, laser, thermal image

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1086127

References:

[1] G.S. Lazarus, D.M. Cooper, D.R. Knighton, D.J. Margolis, R.E. Pecoraro, G. Rodeheaver, ÔÇ×et al Definitions and guidelines for assessment of wounds and evaluation of healing," Arch Dermatol vol. 130, no. 4, pp. 489-493, 1994.
[2] E. Mester, T. Spiry, B. Szende, J.G. Tota, "Effect of laser rays on wound healing," Am J Surg vol. 122, pp. 532-535, 1971.
[3] D. Hawkins, N. Houreld, H. Abrahamse, "Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) as an Effective Therapeutic Modality for Delayed Wound Healing," Ann NY Acad Sci vol. 1056, no.1, pp. 486-493, 2005.
[4] P.C. Lievens , "The effect of combined HeNe and IR laser treatment on the regeneration of the lymphatic system during the process of wound healing," Lasers Med Sci , vol. 6, no 2, pp. 193-199, 1991.
[5] J.T. Hopkins, T.A. McLoda, J.G. Seegmiller, G.D. Baxter, "Low-Level Laser Therapy Facilitates Superficial Wound Healing in Humans: A Triple-Blind, Sham-Controlled Study," J Athl Train vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 223-229, 2004.
[6] W. Posten, D.A. Wrone, J.S. Dover, K.A. Arndt, S. Silapunt, M. Alam, "Low-level laser therapy for wound healing: mechanism and efficacy," Dermatol Surg vol. 31, no.3, pp. 334-340, 2005.
[7] E.Y.K. Ng, "A review of thermography as promising non-invasive detection modality for breast tumor," Int J Therm Sci vol. 48, no.5, pp. 849-859, 2009.
[8] B. Kateb, V. Yamamoto, C. Yu, W. Grundfest, J.P. Gruen, "Infrared thermal imaging: a review of the literature and case report," Neuroimage, vol. 47, 2009.
[9] G. Martini, K.J. Murray, K.J. Howell, J. Harper, D. Atherton, P. Woo, "et al Juvenile-onset localized scleroderma activity detection by infrared thermography," Rheumatology vol 41, pp. 1178-182, 2002.
[10] S.S. Han, C.H. Jung, S.C. Lee, H.J Jung, Y.H Kim, "Does skin temperature difference as measured by infrared thermography within 6 months of acute herpes zoster infection correlate with pain level?" Skin Research and Technolog, vol. 16, no. 2, pp.198 - 201, 2010.
[11] C. Hildebrandt, C. Raschner, K. Ammer, "An overview of recent application of medical infrared thermography in sports medicine in Austria" Sensors vol. 10, pp. 4700-4715, 2010.
[12] A. Hakg├╝der, M. Birtane, S. G├╝rcan, S. Kikino, F.N Turan, "Efficacy of low level laser therapy in myofascial pain syndrome: An algometric and thermographic evaluation," Lasers Surg Med vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 339 - 343, 2003.
[13] H. Fik├íckov├í, T. Dost├ílov├í, R. Vosick├í, V. Peterov├í, L. Navr├ítil, J. Les├ík, ÔÇ×Arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint and low-level laser therapy," Photomed Laser Surg vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 522-527, 2006.
[14] J. M. Bjordal, C. Couppè, R. Chow, J. Tunèr, A.E. Ljunggren, ÔÇ×A systematic review of low level laser therapy with location-specific doses for pain from chronic joint disorders" Aust J Physiother, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 107-116, 2003.
[15] A. Stergioulas, "Low -level laser treatment can reduce edema in second degree ankle sprains," J Clin Laser Med Surg vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 125- 128, 2003.
[16] A. Schindl, M. Schindl, H. Pernerstorfer-Schön, U. Mossbacher, L.Schindl, "Low intensity laser irradiation in the treatment of recalcitrant radiation ulcers in patients with breast cancer - long-term results of 3 cases," Photoderm Photoimmun Photomed vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 34-37, 2000.
[17] D.M. Ferreira, R.A. Zangaro, A.B. Villaverde, Y. Cury, L. Frigo, G. Picolo, "et al Analgesic effect of HeÔÇÉNe (632.8 nm) lowÔÇÉlevel laser therapy on acute inflammatory pain," Photomed Laser Surg vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 177-188, 2005.
[18] R.G. Oliveira, F.M. Aarestrup, C. Miranda, B.J. Vieira, A.P. Ferreira, L.C. Andrade, "Low-Level Laser Therapy Reduces Delayed Hypersensitivity Reaction to Ovalbumin in Balb/C Mice," Photomed Laser Surg vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 773-777, 2010.