Comparison of high-frequency and MIST ultrasound therapy for the healing of venous leg ulcers

Abstract

Background: Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a health problem in clinical care. Several options can be employed as adjuvant to standard treatment. Objectives: We have aimed to analyze the effect of standard ulcer care alone with high-frequency ultrasound (HFU) and MIST ultrasound therapy on VLUs. Material and Methods: Ninety patients with VLUs were assigned into the standard treatment, HFU and MIST ultrasound groups. All groups received the standard wound care. In the ultrasound groups, HFU and MIST ultrasound therapy was administered to wounds 3 times per week until the wound healed. Time of complete wound healing was recorded. Wound size, pain, and edema were assessed at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Also, patients were instructed to contact our clinic monthly, and recurrence of VLUs was recorded for 6 months after complete wound healing. The data was analyzed using a Student's f-test, ANOVA, χ2, or Fisher's exact test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean time duration of complete wound healing in the first, second and third groups was 8.13 (SD 1.40), 6.10 (SD 1.47) and 5.70 (SD 1.57) months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Size of ulcer, mean degree of pain and edema in ultrasound therapy was decreased after the 4-month visit in comparison to the standard-treatment group (p = 0.01, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Also, our results don't show any significant differences between groups in the recurrence of VLUs during a 6-month follow up after complete wound healing (p = 0.37). Conclusions: Our results in the present study show the significant effectiveness of ultrasound therapy in wound healing. Differences between the two ultrasound therapy groups were not statistically significant.