Healing venous ulcers with cycloidal multidirectional vibration therapy.
OBJECTIVE
This preliminary study combined compression bandaging with cycloidal vibration to determine whether this would enhance the rate of healing of venous leg ulceration.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with venous ulceration were enrolled into a 12-week trial. The vibration device was used three times daily for 30 minutes on each occasion, along with compression bandaging.


RESULTS
Ulcers of 13 patients (62%) healed within 12 weeks. The remaining eight patients completed the 12-week study with a 31-90% reduction in ulcer size. A reduction in pain was observed in 17 out of 21 patients (81%). Ultrasound measurements showed reduced fluid content in the upper dermis in patients whose ulcers had healed and in others whose ulcers were improving.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study shows that gentle cycloid vibration, combined with standard compression bandaging, enhances the healing rate of venous ulcers and helps to relieve pain.
Wilson
J M
JM
Oxford Wound Healing Institute, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Arseculeratne
Y M
YM
Yang
Y
Y
Cherry
G W
GW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001458:Bandages; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D014732:Vibration / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing