Development and validation of an algorithm for laser application in wound treatment.
Diequison Rite da Cunha, Geraldo Magela Salomé, Marcelo Renato Massahud and 2 others
PMID 29211197WHAT IT FOUND
Experienced wound-care professionals rated a laser therapy algorithm as useful for choosing wound cleaning and laser settings.
It was not tested on patients, so it does not show that laser therapy heals wounds.
Key findings
0121 of 24 participants said the algorithm had enough information for wound evaluation and cleaning decisions, and 22 said it had enough information for choosing laser parameters.
02The algorithm was not verified by being used during clinical care.
03The validation panel included 14 nurses, eight physiotherapists, and two physicians.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
No patients were treated with the algorithm, so it does not show that using it improves wound healing. Only 24 experienced professionals rated the algorithm, and the study did not measure wound outcomes. The authors state the algorithm was not verified by application during clinical care.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that laser therapy improves wound healing. The study only asked professionals to rate an algorithm, and the authors state it was not verified during clinical care.