title: Negative pressure wound therapy versus standard wound care on quality of life: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is a widely accepted treatment modality for open or infected wounds. Premature ending of NPWT occasionally occurs due to negative effects on the quality of life (QoL), however, the actual impact on QoL is unknown. The aim of this review is to analyse the effect of NPWT versus standard wound care (SWC) on QoL when used for the treatment of open or infected wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search in a range of databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct Freedom Collection, SwetsWise, PSYCArticles and Infrotrac Custom Journals) using the following search terms; 'standard wound care', 'wound dressing', 'dressing', 'treatment', OR 'negative pressure wound therapy [MESH]', OR 'vacuum assisted closure' AND 'quality of life [MESH]', 'patient-satisfaction', OR 'experiences' was performed. Methodological quality was assessed using the methodological index for non-randomised studies (MINORS) checklist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 42 studies identified, five matched the inclusion criteria: two randomised clinical trials (RCTs), one clinical comparative study, one exploratory prospective cohort study and one quasi experimental pilot study. Median MINORS-score was 75% (58%-96%). There were seven different questionnaires used to measure QoL or a subsidiary outcome. QoL in the NPWT group was lower in the first week, though no difference in QoL was observed thereafter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic review observed that QoL improved at the end of therapy independent of which therapy was used. NPWT led to a lower QoL during the first week of treatment, possible due to aniexty, after which a similar or better QoL was reported when compared with SWC. It could be suggested that NPWT might be associated with increased anxiety.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  All authors of this publication have received no financial support or have personal interests conflicting with the objectivity of this manuscript.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: A H J
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E H H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Mommers
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Notter
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: de Vries Reilingh
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Elkerliek Hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wegdam
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety; D006801:Humans; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: negative pressure wound therapy; quality of life; standard wound care