Taly et al. 2004
India
PEDro=10
RCT
N=64 (ulcers) in 35 patients

Population: Age = 8-65 yrs; Gender: males = 27, females = 8; Stage of ulcers: Stage 2 = 55, Stage 3 = 8, Stage 4 = 3.
Treatment: Treatment for the experimental group consisted of multi-wavelength light therapy (gallium-aluminum arsenide laser source) in addition to conventional treatment.  For the control group, the light therapy source was held over the ulcer after switching off the beam.  14 treatments were given, 1 every other day, 3 X per week.  Treatments ended when the ulcer healed or after the 14 treatment exposures.
Outcome Measures: Number of ulcers that healed.

1. Overall no significant differences were found between the control and treatment groups.  14 ulcers healed completely in the control group compared to 18 in the treatment group (p<0.802).
2. The mean time taken to heal was 2.45 weeks in the treatment group and 1.78 in the control group (p<0.330).
3. Multi-wavelength light therapy reduced the time taken by a small subgroup of stage three and four ulcers to reach stage two, treatment group (N=4) 2.25 weeks; control group (N=5) 4.33 weeks. (p=0.047).

Nussbaum et al. 1994 Canada
PEDro=6
RCT
Initial N=20; Final N=16

Population: Age = 15-61 yrs.
Treatment: Control group received “standard” wound care consisting of twice daily cleansing with Hygeol (1:20) and Jelonet dressing, and avoidance of pressure on existing ulcers; Laser group received standard wound care plus laser treatment 3x weekly; US/UVC group received standard wound care with US and UVC treatments alternating over a 5 day period.
Outcome Measures: Healing rate, ulcer size.

1. US/UVC and laser treatment with US/UVC showing greater effect on wound healing than laser or control. Mean percentage of change per week in ulcer size from day 0 to complete healing for control (32.4%), US/UVC (53.5%), and laser (23.7%).
2. Several subjects showed deterioration over the study.  Ulcers increased in size; (laser = 3, 62-167% change; control  = 1, 58% change; US/UVC = 1, 1% change).  All ulcers healed by end of study with last ulcer healed in laser group by week 20 as opposed to US/UVC group at week 6.