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BACKGROUND: Progress with wound healing reflects a patient’s ability to tolerate needed interventions. In the setting of a painful wound, healing progress is often disrupted. Given anecdotal evidence of the palliative effects of non-contact low-frequency ultrasound (LFU), expansion of currently-identified usages for this technology should be considered.
PURPOSE/METHODS: To determine the effectiveness of adjuvant use of LFU in minimizing wound pain, a retrospective chart review was conducted for patients treated with LFU between 12/07 and 9/08 who met predetermined inclusion criteria. Ten wounds were identified and pain data was tracked via the Numerical Rating Scale-11. In addition, information on patient demographics, wound etiology/location/characteristics, number of LFU interventions, and timing of LFU initiation was recorded. Pain data of interest was the occurrence of significant (3-point drop) and complete pain reductions.
RESULTS: Each wound demonstrated a 3-point pain reduction within three LFU applications and complete pain reduction within ten applications. The average first 3-point pain reduction occurred within two applications, regardless of etiology. Despite wound location, the average number of applications for full palliation varied only by one. Similarly, a single application difference was noted, on average, for complete pain reduction in patients with extensive comorbidities. Notwithstanding the presence of devitalized tissue, pain reductions occurred in all wounds receiving LFU. Complete pain reduction was achieved for all wounds within 34 days of LFU initiation, with acute wounds averaging such reduction in two fewer days than chronic wounds.
PURPOSE/METHODS: To determine the effectiveness of adjuvant use of LFU in minimizing wound pain, a retrospective chart review was conducted for patients treated with LFU between 12/07 and 9/08 who met predetermined inclusion criteria. Ten wounds were identified and pain data was tracked via the Numerical Rating Scale-11. In addition, information on patient demographics, wound etiology/location/characteristics, number of LFU interventions, and timing of LFU initiation was recorded. Pain data of interest was the occurrence of significant (3-point drop) and complete pain reductions.
RESULTS: Each wound demonstrated a 3-point pain reduction within three LFU applications and complete pain reduction within ten applications. The average first 3-point pain reduction occurred within two applications, regardless of etiology. Despite wound location, the average number of applications for full palliation varied only by one. Similarly, a single application difference was noted, on average, for complete pain reduction in patients with extensive comorbidities. Notwithstanding the presence of devitalized tissue, pain reductions occurred in all wounds receiving LFU. Complete pain reduction was achieved for all wounds within 34 days of LFU initiation, with acute wounds averaging such reduction in two fewer days than chronic wounds.
DISCUSSION: All wounds obtained complete palliation with use of LFU. However, given the lack of control for all variables, palliation is not ascribable to LFU alone. While this study failed to correlate pain reduction with healing rates, it might be hypothesized that accelerated healing is likely given promotion of a cellular environment conducive to tissue regeneration and repair.