Reduction of Pain in a Cohort of 38 Wounds using Pulsed Radio Frequency Energy

Purpose:

To report on reduction of pain in chronic wounds through use of pulsed radio frequency energy (PRFE*).

Background:

80% of patients with chronic wounds report consistent wound pain. Chronic wound pain contributes to depression and anxiety, and impairs wound healing, activities of daily living, and quality of life.

Treatment of wound pain may require multiple treatment modalities. This study investigates real-world experience with one biophysical modality, PRFE,  in the treatment of chronic wounds.

PRFE delivers an electromagnetic field to the treatment site through a 27.12 MHz radio frequency emission pulsing 1000 times per second at 42 microsecond per pulse. Treatment is non-thermal, non-contact and performed in the home by the patient.

Method:

We performed an IRB-approved retrospective analysis of registry data collected during 2008-2009.  Clinicians at 23 outpatient facilities submitted de-identified data on serial patients undergoing treatment of chronic wounds with PRFE. Patients were not excluded on the basis of co-morbidity, wound type, wound history, or prior medical history. Data collected included patient age, gender, concurrent therapies, pain score, and wound type, age, wound area, and location.  Pain was assessed using a validated faces pain rating scale (0-10). The primary outcome measure was change in wound pain in response to PRFE. 

Results:

We analyzed 38 chronic wounds in 28 patients from 9 outpatient facilities.  61% were venous ulcers.  Mean patient age: 64. Median wound age: 8 months. Median wound size: 8.0cm². Patients treated for an average of 70 days.  Mean initial pain score: 6.3; mean final pain score: 3.0.  Estimated mean decrease in pain score was 3.1 (p<0.0001).  71% of wounds experienced a decrease in pain in response to PRFE.  45% had complete resolution of wound pain.

Conclusion:

In this real-world study, PRFE is shown to significantly reduce the pain associated with chronic wounds.

*Provant Therapy System (Regenesis Biomedical)