Effect of different pressure magnitudes on hypertrophic scar in a Chinese population.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to investigate the effect of different pressure magnitudes on treatment outcomes of hypertrophic scars, and determine pressure loss over time.


METHODS
A randomized clinical trial was adopted. 53 hypertrophic scar samples from 17 Chinese participants were recruited and randomly assigned into a high pressure group (20-25 mmHg) and low pressure group (10-15 mmHg) for a five-month intervention program. The scars were assessed objectively before intervention and monthly after intervention for thickness, color (redness, yellowness and lightness) and scar pliability. Pressure magnitude at each assessment was also measured. Two-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare for differences between groups.


RESULTS
The results showed that both levels of pressure produced reduction in scar thickness and redness, but the improvement in the high pressure group was statistically better than that of the counterpart (both p<0.05). Monthly pressure measurement revealed that pressure loss in the high pressure group was more severe. However, no major changes in other color parameters and pliability were observed for both the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
High pressure was demonstrated to be more effective for scar management, but it was also more prone to higher pressure loss. Pressure therapy integrated with regular monitoring of the interface pressure is suggested to improve its therapeutic efficacy.
Candy
Lai Hoi Yan
LH
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Cecilia
Li-Tsang Wai Ping
LT
Ping
Zheng Yong
ZY
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D044466:Asian People; D002681:China; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome