Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
11-2002
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Source Publication
Advances in Skin & Wound Care
Source ISSN
1527-7941
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of noncontact normothermic wound therapy (NNWT) versus standard wound care on chronic full-thickness pressure ulcers.
DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial
SETTING: Veterans administration medical center and 7 long-term-care facilities
PATIENTS: 40 inpatients with 43 Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
INTERVENTIONS: A sterile noncontact wound dressing was applied to 21 wounds for 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Each day after the wound was irrigated and the noncontact dressing was changed, a heating element in the dressing was activated for 3 1-hour periods for 12 weeks or until wound closure. Twenty-two control wounds were treated with standard, moisture-retentive dressings 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for 12 weeks or until wound closure.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Measurement of wound surface area
MAIN RESULTS: Healing rate for the NNWT group was significantly greater than for the control group (0.52 cm2 per week and 0.23 cm2 per week, respectively;PPP <.05).
CONCLUSION: Wounds treated with NNWT healed significantly faster than wounds in the control group. The healing rate was greatest for larger wounds treated with NNWT.
Recommended Citation
Kloth, Luther C.; Berman, Joseph E.; Nett, Marilyn; Papanek, Paula; and Dumit-Minkel, Sonia, "A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effects of Noncontact Normothermic Wound Therapy on Chronic Full-thickness Pressure Ulcers" (2002). Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications. 122.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/phys_therapy_fac/122
Comments
Accepted version. Advances in Skin & Wound Care, Vol. 15, No. 6 (November/December 2002): 270-276. Permalink. © 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc. Used with permission.