Accelerated closure of biopsy-type wounds by mechanical stimulation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a device designed to provide low-intensity, low-frequency mechanical stimulation improves healing time of acute wounds.


METHODS
Repeated measures using mechanical stimulation on one side of a rat and sham stimulation on the contralateral side.


METHODS
Academic animal facility.


METHODS
Six male Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately 400 g.


METHODS
Mechanical stimulation of 4-mm biopsy wounds in rats was produced through the use of permanent magnets cyclically attracted and repelled by activation of an electromagnet by a square wave generator at a frequency of 1 Hz and a force equivalent to 64 mm Hg pressure.


METHODS
Days to complete closure of 4-mm biopsy punch wounds.


RESULTS
This form of stimulation reduced time to close the biopsy wounds by nearly 50%. Mechanically stimulated wounds closed in 3.8 +/- 1.6 days (mean +/- SD) compared with 6.8 +/- 1.9 days for sham-stimulated wounds (P = .0002).


CONCLUSIONS
Production of a mechanical stimulation device with a miniaturized controller and power source and trials on humans are needed to determine the efficacy and potential cost savings of such a device in the management of wounds.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA.
Glenn L
GL
Irion
Sharon
S
Stone
Terri
T
Fischer
Vicki P
VP
Finch
Lee R
LR
Phillips
Carl
C
Frederickson
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002465:Cell Movement; D017046:Cost Savings; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D007249:Inflammation; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008904:Miniaturization; D038081:Organogenesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*