Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, non-controlled clinical trials, prospective comparative studies and retrospective studies were eligible for inclusion. Only RCTs and uncontrolled clinical trials were included in the review.
Specific interventions included in the review
Clinical studies that evaluated LLLT for the treatment of chronic wounds, specifically leg ulcers and pressure sores, were eligible for inclusion. The delivery of LLLT differed between the included studies in terms of laser type, wavelength, dosage or irradiance, beam divergence, spot size, frequency and duration of treatment.
Participants included in the review
No a priori criteria were reported. The included studies encompassed a variety of populations including wound care in patients with pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, post-surgical wounds, and ulcers of variable origin.
Outcomes assessed in the review
No a priori criteria were reported. Studies that reported closure of ulcer, change in wound size or healing rate, self-reported pain, bacterial count, patient satisfaction, recurrent ulceration, ulcer volume and granulation were included in the review.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The author did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection process.