Wound being healed by soft light

Can Light Therapy Heal Chronic Wounds? The EUREKA Trial's Promising Results

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Fluorescence biomodulation offers new hope for patients suffering from stubborn venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Discover the EUREKA trial's findings."

Chronic wounds, including venous leg ulcers (VLUs), diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and pressure ulcers (PUs), pose a significant challenge for healthcare professionals worldwide. These wounds often resist conventional treatments, leading to prolonged suffering and reduced quality of life for patients. But a new approach is showing real promise.

Fluorescence biomodulation (FB), a type of photobiomodulation (PBM) also known as low-energy level light (LELL), is emerging as a valuable tool in wound care. FB uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cells and accelerate the natural healing process. The EUREKA (EvalUation of Real lifE use of Klox biophotonic system in chronic wound mAnagement) trial was designed to investigate how well FB works in real-world settings.

The EUREKA trial focused on the LumiHeal system, which utilizes FB to treat chronic wounds. Researchers aimed to confirm its effectiveness and safety for VLUs, DFUs, and PUs. By examining how FB affects wound healing, the study hoped to provide new insights into managing these challenging conditions.

EUREKA Trial: A Beacon of Hope for Chronic Wound Sufferers

The EUREKA trial, a multi-center, prospective, observational, uncontrolled study conducted across 12 clinical sites in Italy, enrolled 100 subjects, with the final analysis including 99 patients. Participants had various chronic wounds: 52 VLUs, 32 DFUs, and 15 PUs. The study combined FB treatment with standard of care (SoC) specific to each wound type.

Researchers used the LumiHeal system, applying a chromophore gel to the wound and then illuminating it with an LED activator. Wound area was assessed using the Silhouette Imaging System, and quality of life (QoL) was measured using the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS). Clinicians also provided feedback on the system's usability.

Significant Wound Closure: Total wound closure was achieved in 47 patients: 26 VLUs (50%), 16 DFUs (50%), and 5 PUs (33.3%).
Reduced Wound Area: The mean wound area regression was significant for VLUs (41.0%) and DFUs (52.4%).
Predictive Healing: Ulcer response to treatment could be predicted after four weeks.
High Adherence: Patient adherence to the treatment was high (95.2%).
Improved Quality of Life: Significant improvements in QoL were reported, with a 15.4% increase in the CWIS total score.

The EUREKA trial confirmed that FB has a positive effect on the wound healing process across different types of chronic wounds. It demonstrated that the treatment is safe, well-tolerated, and significantly improves patient QoL.

The Future of Wound Care: Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The EUREKA trial offers compelling evidence for the use of fluorescence biomodulation as a valuable tool in the management of chronic wounds. By promoting healing, improving quality of life, and demonstrating a strong safety profile, FB holds significant promise for patients who have struggled with persistent wounds. As research continues, FB may become an increasingly important part of comprehensive wound care strategies.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.12968/jowc.2018.27.11.744, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Fluorescence Biomodulation In The Real-Life Management Of Chronic Wounds: The Eureka Trial

Subject: Nursing (miscellaneous)

Journal: Journal of Wound Care

Publisher: Mark Allen Group

Authors: Marco Romanelli, Alberto Piaggesi, Giovanni Scapagnini, Valentina Dini, Agata Janowska, Elisabetta Iacopi, Carlotta Scarpa, Stéphane Fauverghe, Franco Bassetto

Published: 2018-11-02

Everything You Need To Know

What is fluorescence biomodulation (FB), and how does it aid in healing chronic wounds like venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers?

Fluorescence biomodulation (FB) is a form of photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-energy level light (LELL), that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cells and accelerate the natural healing process. It's being explored as a treatment for chronic wounds like venous leg ulcers (VLUs), diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and pressure ulcers (PUs) because these wounds often resist conventional treatments. FB offers a way to promote healing in these persistent conditions.

Can you explain the EUREKA trial and its significance in the context of chronic wound treatment using the LumiHeal system?

The EUREKA (EvalUation of Real lifE use of Klox biophotonic system in chronic wound mAnagement) trial was a multi-center, prospective, observational study conducted across 12 clinical sites in Italy, involving 100 subjects with chronic wounds like venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and pressure ulcers. It aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fluorescence biomodulation (FB), delivered via the LumiHeal system, in real-world clinical settings when combined with standard of care (SoC) treatments. The trial's significance lies in its demonstration of FB's positive impact on wound healing, safety, tolerability, and improvement of patient quality of life, offering a promising alternative for those struggling with persistent wounds.

What were the key findings of the EUREKA trial regarding the treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLUs), diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), and pressure ulcers (PUs) using fluorescence biomodulation (FB)?

The EUREKA trial reported that fluorescence biomodulation (FB) had a positive effect on the wound healing process for various types of chronic wounds. Specifically, total wound closure was achieved in 50% of venous leg ulcer (VLU) cases and 50% of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) cases, and 33.3% of pressure ulcers (PUs). Additionally, there was a significant mean wound area regression for VLUs (41.0%) and DFUs (52.4%). The trial also showed that ulcer response to treatment could be predicted after four weeks, patient adherence to the treatment was high at 95.2%, and significant improvements in quality of life were reported, with a 15.4% increase in the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS) total score.

How does the LumiHeal system work in applying fluorescence biomodulation (FB) for treating chronic wounds, and what role does the chromophore gel play in this process?

The LumiHeal system applies fluorescence biomodulation (FB) by first applying a chromophore gel to the chronic wound, such as a venous leg ulcer, diabetic foot ulcer or a pressure ulcer. After the gel is applied, the wound is illuminated with an LED activator. This process allows the specific wavelengths of light, that are part of fluorescence biomodulation, to stimulate the cells and accelerate the natural healing process. The chromophore gel enhances the effectiveness of the light by making the cells more receptive to the light energy.

Beyond the specifics of wound closure and area reduction, what implications does the EUREKA trial's finding of improved Quality of Life (QoL) have for patients with chronic wounds treated with fluorescence biomodulation (FB)?

The EUREKA trial's finding of improved Quality of Life (QoL), as indicated by a 15.4% increase in the Cardiff Wound Impact Schedule (CWIS) total score, has significant implications for patients with chronic wounds treated with fluorescence biomodulation (FB). Chronic wounds like venous leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers often cause pain, discomfort, social isolation, and psychological distress, severely impacting a patient's overall well-being. Therefore, beyond just physical healing, the ability of FB to enhance QoL suggests that this treatment can address the broader, more holistic needs of patients, enabling them to regain a sense of normalcy, improve their mental health, and engage more fully in daily activities.