The effects of polarized light therapy in pressure ulcer healing.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Neglecting polarized light as an adjuvant therapy for pressure ulcers and methodology distinctions in the trials engaging polarized light are the reasons for many dilemmas and contradictions. The aim of this study was to establish the effects of polarized light therapy in pressure ulcer healing. METHODS: This prospective randomized single-blind study involved 40 patients with stage I-III of pressure ulcer. The patients in the experimental group (E) were subjected, besides polarized light therapy, to standard wound cleaning and dressing. Standard wound cleaning and dressing were the only treatment used in the control group (C). A polarized light source was a Bioptron lamp. Polarized light therapy was applied for six min daily, five times a week, four weeks. The Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) was used in the assessment of outcome. Statistic analysis included Mann Whitney Test, Fisher Exact Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups at the end of the treatment regarding the surface of pressure ulcer (E: 10.80 +/- 19.18; C: 22,97 +/- 25,47; p = 0.0005), rank of pressure ulcer (E: 5.90 +/- 2.48; C: 8.6 +/- 1.05; p = 0.0005) and total PUSH score (E: 7.35 +/- 3.17; C: 11.85 +/- 2.35; p = 0,0003). The patients in the experimental group had significantly better values of the parameters monitored than the patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: After a four-week polarized light therapy 20 patients with stage I-III ulcer had significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing, so it could be useful to apply polarized light in the treatment of pressure ulcers.

Pain, functional status, social function and conditions of habitation in elderly unilateraly lower limb amputees.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Few authors are involved in home rehabilitation of amputees or their reintegration into the community. It has been remarked that there is a discontinuity between the phases of the amputee rehabilitation in Serbia. The aim of the study was to establish pain characteristics and functional status of amputees two months after the amputation and to determine their social function and the conditions of their habitation. METHODS: This prospective observation study involved 38 elderly amputees with unilateral lower limb amputations. The patients were tested at the hospital on discharge and at their homes two months after the amputation. Pain intensity and functional status were measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and by Functional Independence Measure (FIM). The patients' social function was assessed using the Social Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS) and conditions of their habitation by the self-created Scale of Conditions of Habitation (SCH). In statistic analysis we used the Student t test, chi2 test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: The majority of patients (63%) underwent below knee amputation caused by diabetes (89%). A significant number of patients (84%, chi2 = 17.78; p < 0.01) was not visited by a physiotherapist nor an occupational therapist during two months at home. In this period, the majority of the amputees (68%) had phantom pain or residual limb pain (21%). Two months after amputation the pain intensity was significantly lower (VAS = 4.07 +/- 2.19; 2.34 +/- 1.41; p < 0.001), and the functional status significantly better than on discharge (FIM = 75.13 +/- 16.52; 87.87 +/- 16.48; p < 0.001). The amputees had the average level of social dysfunction (SDRS = 62.00 +/- 11.68) and conditions of habitation (SCH = 7.81 +/- 1.97). CONCLUSION: A total 38 elderly amputees with unilateral lower limb amputations achieved significant functional improvement and reduction of pain, in spite of their social dysfunction, the absence of socio-medical support and inadequacy of the conditions of habitation.