Randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial showed cold atmospheric argon plasma relieved acute pain and accelerated healing in herpes zoster

Abstract

Herpes zoster is an acute painful infectious skin condition due to the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, with increasing incidence in the aging population. Acute pain relief is usually required and post-herpetic neuralgia requiring ongoing analgesia is a well recognised complication.Argon plasma treatment has demonstrated efficacy in reducing bacterial load in chronic wounds, and possibly stimulating wound healing. In this study, weekday 5min plasma treatments with the MicroPlaSter ß device was assessed for safety, pain reduction and healing rates of herpes zoster.37 inpatients with herpes zoster were treated in a prospective randomized placebo-controlled phase II study with either weekday 5min of cold atmospheric argon plasma (19, active) or with 5min of argon gas (18, placebo), in addition to a standard treatment regime. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale before and after active or placebo application. Digital images of lesions were evaluated independently by three blinded clinicians, with regard to vesicles, erythema and general impression.Analysis revealed a significantly greater (p<0.01) reduction in pain in plasma-treated patients compared to controls over the course of treatment, and a significantly better median reduction immediately after each treatment (p<0.05). Plasma treatment led to more rapid clinical improvement in the first 1–2 days.Weekday 5min treatments with cold atmospheric argon plasma was safe, painless and effective, improving initial healing and acute pain in herpes zoster lesions.