Effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for burn scar regeneration: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the regeneration effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on hypertrophic scar regeneration using objective measurements. MethodsThis was a double-blinded, randomized, controlled trial of 48 participants who had undergone autologous split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) with same artificial dermis. The ESWT group (n=25) received shock waves with low-energy flux density (0.05–0.30mJ/mm2). The interval between treatments is a 1-week. The ESWT group also received recommended treatment. The control group (n=23) only received standard treatment. We measured skin characteristics before treatment and after 6 weeks for both groups. ResultsNo significant intergroup difference was noted at the initial evaluations (p>0.05). The pre- to post-treatment change in the scar thickness (p=0.03) and erythema (p=0.03), greater reduction was found in the ESWT group than control group. The pre- to post-treatment change in the sebum level (p=0.02), more increase was found in the ESWT group. We found no significant differences in the change measurements between the two groups for melanin levels (p=0.62) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (p=0.94). The changes (skin distensibility, biological skin elasticity, gross skin elasticity, and skin viscoelasticity) measured with the Cutometer showed no significant differences between the two groups (p=0.87, p=0.32, p=0.37, and p=0.29, respectively). ConclusionThis is the first report of ESWT on hypertrophic scar after burn using objective tools (melanin, erythema, sebum, TEWL, elasticity and thickness). ESWT has objective beneficial effects on burn-associated scar characteristics.