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Case Study/Series
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Effectiveness of noncontact, low-intensity, low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound in wound treatment: A case series study First Author: Kristen Thurman Authors: Kristen Thurman, PT, CWS This case series study evaluated the effectiveness of noncontact, low-intensity, low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound treatment for inpatients with wounds in 2006. Eight consecutively selected patients with wounds received 3-5 weekly treatments of 3-20 minute durations depending on wound size. Wounds were evaluated pre- and post treatment by changes in wound dimensions, drainage amount, percentage granulation tissue, treatment and wound pain using a visual analog scale, and wound infection using cultures. Lower-extremity wounds of various etiologies (pressure, surgical, abscess-related, vascular, and diabetic), with and without bacterial colonization, predominated. Estimated time-to-healing was reduced by at least 50% of expected healing rates in all patients as determined by reduction in wound area and increase in granulation tissue. Overall, drainage was substantially reduced or eliminated. Bacterial infections, including MRSA, were cleared. Wound-associated pain was eliminated post treatment in 3 of 4 patients reporting wound pain. No patient reported treatment-associated pain. In this case series study, noncontact, low-intensity, low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound substantially reduced time-to-healing and improved wound pain in wounds resulting in shorter inpatient hospitalizations, fewer and less costly wound dressings, and lower medication usage (antibiotics and pain medications). |
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