Effects of the use of bioceramic wraps in patients with lower limb venous ulcers: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of integrative medicine 2020-01, Vol.18 (1), p.26-34
• Main Authors: Herr, Gerli E.G., da Silva, Fábio Goulart, Cidral-Filho, Francisco José, Petronilho, Fabricia, Danielski, Lucinéia Gainski, de Souza Goldim, Mariana Pereira, Salgado, Afonso Shiguemi Inoue, Bobinski, Franciane, Martins, Daniel Fernandes, Winkelmann, Eliane R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bioceramic wrap; Brazil; Ceramics; Compression Bandages; Double-Blind Method; Far-infrared radiation; Female; Humans; Infrared Rays - therapeutic use; Lower Extremity - blood supply; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative stress; Quality of Life; Randomized controlled trial; Varicose Ulcer - therapy; Wound healing
• ISSN: 2095-4964
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2019.11.006

Venous ulcer represents the most advanced stage of chronic venous insufficiency. It is an important public health problem and has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life due to chronic pain, inability to work, need for hospitalization and frequent outpatient follow-up. We investigated the treatment benefits of far-infrared ceramic (cFIR), in a 90-day study of lower limb venous ulcers and looked at ulcer healing scores, quality of life, serum bio-markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense enzymes. This is a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study conducted in the Vascular Surgery Service of a hospital located in the northwest region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. We included patients with lower limb venous ulcers who were randomized to use either a bioceramics wrap or a placebo wrap for 90 days. The following evaluations were conducted at baseline and after 15, 30, 60 and 90 days: ulcer healing score, quality of life, and serum markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity. Patients (n = 24) with lower limb venous ulcers were randomized into two treatment groups. cFIR decreased the ulcer size on day 30 (P = 0.042) and 90 (P = 0.034) and the total ulcer healing scale scores on day 30 (P = 0.049) and 90 (P = 0.02) of the treatment, when compared to baseline. Additionally, cFIR improved tissue type (epithelial tissue) on day 60 (P = 0.022) when compared to baseline evaluation. cFIR clinically improved ulcer healing in patients with lower limb venous ulcers. RBR-8c7xzn on ReBEC.