Polak A, Taradaj J, Nawrat-Szoltysik A, Stania M, Dolibog P, Blaszczak E, Zarzeczny R, Juras G, Franek A, Kucio C, et al.
Journal of wound care. Date of publication 2016 Dec 2;volume 25(12):742-754.
1. J Wound Care. 2016 Dec 2;25(12):742-754.
Reduction of pressure ulcer size with high-voltage pulsed current and
high-frequency ultrasound: a randomised trial.
Polak A(1)(2), Taradaj J(1)(3), Nawrat-Szoltysik A(1)(4), Stania M(1), Dolibog
P(5), Blaszczak E(5), Zarzeczny R(6), Juras G(7), Franek A(5), Kucio C(1)(8).
Author information:
(1)Department of Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Education, Mikolowska 72B,
40-065 Katowice. Poland.
(2)Institute of Medical Science, Katowice School of Economics, Harcerzy Wrzesnia
3, 40-659 Katowice. Poland.
(3)Institute of Physical Therapy, Public High School of Medicine, Katowice 68,
45-060 Opole, Poland.
(4)Caritas Skilled Nursing Facility, Wolnosci 30, 41-700 Ruda Slaska, Poland.
(5)Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18
bud. C2, 40-752 Katowice. Poland.
(6)Institute of Physical Education, Jan Długosz Academy, Waszyngtona 4, 42-200
Czestochowa, Poland.
(7)Department of Motor Behaviour, Academy of Physical Education, ul. Mikołowska
72B, 40-065 Katowice. Poland.
(8)Department of Internal Medicine, Specialist Hospital, Chelmonskiego 28, 43-600
Jaworzno, Poland.
OBJECTIVE: International guidelines recommend the use of ultrasound (US) and
electrical stimulation (ES) for treating chronic and recurrent pressure ulcers
(PUs). The methodology of these procedures, however, still needs elaboration and
confirmation by clinical studies. This parallel-group, randomised, single-blind,
prospective, controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine whether by
using high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) and high-voltage monophasic pulsed current
(HVMPC), the rate of change in the area of older patients' PUs can be
accelerated.
METHOD: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either: standard wound care
(SWC) involving supportive care and topical treatments; SWC+US (1MHz; 0.5 W/cm2;
20%; 1-3 minutes/cm2); or SWC+ES (HVMPC, 154 µs, 100 pps, 100 V, 250 µC/sec, 50
minutes/day). US and ES were administered once a day, 5 days a week. The primary
outcome was change in PU surface area measured against baseline after 6 weeks of
treatment with SWC, SWC+US, and SWC+ES.
RESULTS: We recruited 77 patients, aged 60-95 years (80% aged over 70 years of
age), with 88 Category II, III and IV PUs were enrolled in the study. The
percentage reduction in the surface area of PUs at the end of treatment was
significantly greater in the SWC+US group (mean ± standard deviation, 77.48±11.59
%; p=0.024) and the SWC+ES group (76.19±32.83%; p=0.030) versus the control group
(48.97±53.42%). The SWC+ES group also had a significantly greater proportion of
PUs that decreased in area by at least 50% or closed than the control group
(p=0.05 and 0.031, respectively). The SWC+US and SWC+ES groups were not
statistically significant different regarding treatment results. Clinical side
effects were not recorded.
CONCLUSION: The results show that HFUS and HVMPC are comparable regarding their
effectiveness in reducing the size of PUs in older people.
DECLARATION OF INTEREST: The authors have nothing to disclose. All research
activities were funded by the Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2016.25.12.742
PMID: 27974012 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
