The Arnold Rikli Award Ceremony 2018
The prize ceremony for the 19th Arnold Rikli Award took place on the occasion of the International Symposium “Biologic Effects of Light” on June 7, 2019 in Homburg/Saar (Germany)
The winner of the Arnold Rikli Award 2018 is Dr. Jolien Robijns, Limburg Clinical Research Program, Hasselt University, Hasselt (Belgium).
The prize was awarded for her scientific work with the subject: “Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention and management of acute radiodermatitis in cancer patients”.
The prize winner treated successfully via photobiomodulation the radiodermatitis, a very frequent occurring side effect of radiation therapy at cancer patients. The symptoms of radiodermatitis are erythema and desquamation of the skin at which four severity grades are distinguished. Radiation from the red visible to the near infrared range (about 600 to 1,300 nm) is applicated with laser or LED irradiation devices at the photobiomodulation which is also known with the description Low Level Light Therapy. The substantial outcome of photobiomodulation are stimulation of wound healing, anti-inflammatory and pain killing effects. Dr. Robijns undertook a randomized and placebo-controlled clinical study with breast cancer patients among other things and proved the good success of the treatment particularly at higher severity grades of radiodermatitis. Photobiomodulation reduces significantly the incidence of severe acute radiodermatitis, reduces pain and discomfort during and after radiation therapy and thus improves the patient’s quality of life.
f.l.t.r.: Jörg Wolff (prize sponsor), Dr. Jolien Robijns