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Volume 18, Issue 3 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(3): 1001-1013 |
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Received: 2026/09/2 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/06/20
Received: 2026/09/2 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/06/20
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Bushra Ghali Yousif. Biophysical and Clinical Evaluation of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Psoriatic Skin Lesions: A Randomized Controlled Study. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (3) :1001-1013
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Abstract (122 Views)
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin condition that involves the excessive increase in keratinocytes, persistent inflammation, ineffective epidermal barrier function, and recurrent development of plaques. While there are many topical and systemic treatments for psoriasis, such treatment modalities may not be effective due to their side effects, cost, contraindications, or limited efficacy. Low-level laser therapy is a non-invasive treatment modality which is capable of altering cell metabolism, inflammatory signaling, oxidative balance, and regenerative processes in the tissue. The objective of this paper is to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy on localized chronic plaque psoriasis in patients diagnosed with this condition using a randomized, split-body, sham-controlled design.
Materials & Methods: A total of 40 individuals suffering from mild, chronic plaque psoriasis were included in the study. Every participant brought forth two valid, opposite plaques. Treatments were designated either active laser treatment (using a diode laser with a wavelength of 660 nm) or placebo. The therapies were implemented twice a week over the course of 8 weeks, casting a total of 16 treatments. Clinical assessments included the Local Psoriasis Severity Index as well as several other scales. Biophysical evaluations included transepidermal water loss measurements, stratum corneum moisture, erythema index measurement, skin temperature assessment, skin pH definition, and plaque thickness measurements.
Findings: The Local Psoriasis Severity Index showed a considerably better reduction in the active treatment plaques as compared to the sham treatment plaques during week 8: from 8.1±1.4 to 3.3±1.2 for active plaques, while for sham-treated plaques only from 8.0±1.5 to 6.7±1.6. The active treatment resulted in a significantly higher reduction of erythema, scaling, plaque thickness and area, itching, transepidermal water loss, erythema index, and surface temperature compared to the sham technique. The hydration of the stratum corneum increased significantly as well. 70% of patients with active plaques achieved at least 50% local severity reduction. Positive effects were still present four weeks after treatment, and there were no serious side effects noted.
Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy yielded noticeable clinical and biophysical benefits for patients with localized chronic plaque psoriasis and was well accepted. Photobiomodulation could be a valuable complementary therapeutic option for those patients diagnosed with stable localized disease. Further studies with larger sample groups and more prolonged follow-up time, as well as molecular biomarker evaluations, are essential to prove the obtained conclusions.
Materials & Methods: A total of 40 individuals suffering from mild, chronic plaque psoriasis were included in the study. Every participant brought forth two valid, opposite plaques. Treatments were designated either active laser treatment (using a diode laser with a wavelength of 660 nm) or placebo. The therapies were implemented twice a week over the course of 8 weeks, casting a total of 16 treatments. Clinical assessments included the Local Psoriasis Severity Index as well as several other scales. Biophysical evaluations included transepidermal water loss measurements, stratum corneum moisture, erythema index measurement, skin temperature assessment, skin pH definition, and plaque thickness measurements.
Findings: The Local Psoriasis Severity Index showed a considerably better reduction in the active treatment plaques as compared to the sham treatment plaques during week 8: from 8.1±1.4 to 3.3±1.2 for active plaques, while for sham-treated plaques only from 8.0±1.5 to 6.7±1.6. The active treatment resulted in a significantly higher reduction of erythema, scaling, plaque thickness and area, itching, transepidermal water loss, erythema index, and surface temperature compared to the sham technique. The hydration of the stratum corneum increased significantly as well. 70% of patients with active plaques achieved at least 50% local severity reduction. Positive effects were still present four weeks after treatment, and there were no serious side effects noted.
Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy yielded noticeable clinical and biophysical benefits for patients with localized chronic plaque psoriasis and was well accepted. Photobiomodulation could be a valuable complementary therapeutic option for those patients diagnosed with stable localized disease. Further studies with larger sample groups and more prolonged follow-up time, as well as molecular biomarker evaluations, are essential to prove the obtained conclusions.
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