Dose dependent effect of shock wave therapy on full thickness wound healing: An experimental study

Abstract

Hesham Galal Mahran*

Objective of the study: To examine the dose-effect relationship of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on wound healing in rats.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial design.

Animals: 45 adult male, albino rats were included in this study.

Interventions: A surgical wound with approximately six cm² area was made on upper back of all rats after anesthesia, then rats were randomly assigned into three equal groups; group (A) (n=15, 600 shocks/session/3sessions, energy density/ shock at 0.1 mJ/mm²), group (B) (n=15, 600 shocks/session/6 sessions, energy density/shock at 0.05 mJ/mm²) and group (C) (n=15, sham Shockwave group as a control group).

Outcome measures: Wound surface areas and epithelialization rates were measured at 3rd and 6th sessions by the tracing method using a digital camera.

Results: There was a significant decrease in the surface area of the wound as well as a significant increase in the epithelialization rate in three groups (p value < 0.05). Three sessions after ESWT application, group (A) showed a more significant decrease in WSA as well as a more significant increase in epithelialization rate, as compared to groups (B) and (C), whereas after three additional sessions applied in group (B), there was no significant difference between groups (A) and (B) in the main outcomes (p >0.05).

Conclusion: Shockwave dose modulation may have an effect on the end result of wound healing.