Frequency rhythmic electrical modulation system in the treatment of chronic painful leg ulcers

Abstract

Electrical current has been recommended for use on chronic wounds; however, the ability of this modality to improve healing of various types of chronic ulcers, arterial, venous, mixed arterial and venous ulcers, diabetic, and pressure ulcers is not well established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of frequency rhytmic electrical modulation system (FREMS) on healing of chronic painful leg ulcers.Thirty-five patients with 43 chronic painful leg ulcers participated in the study. The subjects were separated into two random groups, one treated with FREMS and the control group. Our investigation focused on the control of the parameter changes important for ulcer healing: wound surface area, wound appearance (fibrin accumulations, exudation, granulation, and epithelization), ulcer surroundings and associated symptoms. All the parameters were monitored clinically at the beginning, after first, second, and third week, and at the end, after 1 and 2 months of administered therapy, when the scores were determined. Pain intensity was evaluated with visual analog scale (VAS). FREMS therapy was administrated through the device model Aptiva Ballet into sessions and several stages. Comparing the findings of decrease leg ulcer surface, pain, leg ulcer score, score of vicinity (statistically significant at the level P < 0.05) with the controls, it was established that FREMS system accelerated ulcer healing, reduced pain and demonstrated better effects compared to the control group. The results of the study indicate that FREMS therapy accelerates wound closure and depresses the pain of chronic leg ulcers.