{
  "abstract": "Traumatic scars and burn scar contractures can cause pain, pruritus, restricted motion, impaired limb function, and difficulty tolerating occupational or protective equipment. Laser-based treatment is increasingly used in rehabilitation, but outcomes remain heterogeneous and often emphasize appearance. This structured narrative review and descriptive evidence map used seven PubMed/MEDLINE search blocks completed on July 21, 2026. Two authors independently screened 898 unique records from 1,191 retrieved records. Reference checking and targeted full-text review supplemented the search; 50 sources informed the framework. Randomized evidence was outcome-dependent: early pulsed dye laser improved patient-rated scar quality in the primary Early Laser for Burn Scars analysis, without consistent observer-rated or quality-of-life benefit. Two within-patient fractional carbon dioxide laser trials reported selected symptom or scar-item improvements despite no significant Vancouver Scar Scale difference. Direct evidence for objective function and return to role remained limited. We propose a minimum-plus-modules framework covering scar characteristics, symptoms, regional function, treatment burden, equipment tolerance, safety and downtime, and graded return-to-work or return-to-duty status. Assessments are linked to baseline, treatment sessions, interim review, treatment completion, and three- and six-to-12-month follow-up. The framework integrates established measures into a practical schedule; it is not a validated core outcome set and requires prospective evaluation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Dermatology, Praxis Bigge Ungerechts, Cologne, DEU"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Stefan Bigge"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bianca Bigge"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3840aajjfxnz0.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.7759/cureus.117144",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13718256/?tool=EBI",
  "id": "3840aajjfxnz0",
  "issns": [
    "2168-8184"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13718256",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Dermatology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2708|Dermatologic Treatments and Research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214738830",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13718256/pdf/?tool=EBI",
  "pmcid": "PMC13718256",
  "pmid": "42960113",
  "published": "2026-09-29",
  "publisher": "Cureus Inc.",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3840aajjfxnz0.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T00:20:37Z",
      "native_id": "PMC:PMC13718256",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13718256"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-01T00:20:52Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42960113",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42960113"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-02T12:22:19Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13718256",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.117144"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2708|Dermatologic Treatments and Research",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Measuring Functional Outcomes After Laser-Based Rehabilitation of Traumatic Scars and Burn Scar Contractures: A Structured Evidence Map and Practical Follow-Up Framework",
  "title_text": "Measuring Functional Outcomes After Laser-Based Rehabilitation of Traumatic Scars and Burn Scar Contractures: A Structured Evidence Map and Practical Follow-Up Framework",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-02T12:22:19Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/3840aajjfxnz0",
  "venue": "Cureus",
  "versions": []
}