Physical Therapy Wound Care Modalities in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Purpose
To examine the effects of Physical Therapist (PT) wound care modalities (pulsed wound irrigation (PWI) + electrical stimulation (ES), PWI only, and ES only) on wound healing in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI).
Conditions
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Pressure Injuries
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Over 18 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- Currently enrolled at inpatient rehabilitation at Carolinas Rehabilitation Charlotte - Diagnosis of spinal cord injury and concomitant pressure injury to sacrum or ischium - Agreeable to wound care treatment by Physical Therapist (PT) - Able to perform informed consent - Over 18 years of age - Physician order for PT wound care evaluation and treatment - Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) >31 on initial evaluation
Exclusion Criteria
- Pain which limits ability to tolerate wound care treatments - Unable to perform informed consent - Pregnancy - Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) <30 on initial evaluation
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- To examine the effects of PT wound care modalities (PWI + ES, PWI only, and ES only) on wound healing in patients with SCI
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None (Open Label)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental pulsed wound irrigation (PWI) |
The necrotic wound is irrigated with normal saline (0.9%) with an 8-12 pounds per square inch pressure (PSI) to provide a mechanical force to loosen necrotic tissue for wound healing |
|
|
Experimental electrical stimulation (ES) |
ES works to promote the migration of cells based on natural cell polarity known as galvanotaxis, enhancing and mimicking the natural current of injury. By recreating the natural electrical fields of the skin, ES attracts immune cells vital to healing to wound to facilitate wound closure |
|
|
Experimental electrical stimulation (ES) and pulsed wound irrigation (PWI) |
The necrotic wound is irrigated with normal saline (0.9%) with an 8-12 pounds per square inch pressure (PSI) to provide a mechanical force to loosen necrotic tissue for wound healing and ES to promote the migration of cells based on natural cell polarity known as galvanotaxis, enhancing and mimicking the natural current of injury. By recreating the natural electrical fields of the skin, ES attracts immune cells vital to healing to wound to facilitate wound closure |
|
Recruiting Locations
Carolinas Rehabilitation
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Detailed Description
It is hypothesized that PWI + ES will demonstrate the greatest rate of wound healing due to the combined effect of these treatments, which positively impact several aspects of the wound healing cascade. It is hypothesized that all patients will demonstrate improved quality of life from receiving wound care treatments by Physical Therapists due to individualized education and treatments which engage patients in their wound healing process and promote self-efficacy.