title: The effect of nitric oxide releasing cream on healing pressure ulcers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pressure ulcer is one of the main concerns of nurses in medical centers around the world, which, if untreated, causes irreparable problems for patients. In recent years, nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed as an effective method for wound healing. This study was conducted to determine the effect of nitric oxide on pressure ulcer healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this clinical trial, 58 patients with pressure ulcer at hospitals affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences were homogenized and later divided randomly into two groups of treatment (nitric oxide cream; n = 29) and control (placebo cream; n = 29). In this research, the data collection tool was the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH). At the outset of the study (before using the cream), the patients' ulcers were examined weekly in terms of size, amount of exudates, and tissue type using the PUSH tool for 3 weeks. By integrating these three factors, wound healing was determined. Data were analyzed using SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although no significant difference was found in terms of the mean of score size, the amount of exudates, and the tissue type between the two groups, the mean of total score (healing) between the two groups was statistically significant (P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nitric oxide cream seems to accelerate wound healing. Therefore, considering its easy availability and cost-effectiveness, it can be used for treating pressure ulcers in the future.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Chronic Disease Care Research Center, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saidkhani
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical, Chronic Disease Care Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Marziyeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asadizaker
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Khodayar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sayed Mahmoud
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Latifi
keywords: Cream; healing; nitric oxide; pressure ulcer; wound healing