Shock wave therapy versus conventional physical therapy for partial-thickness forearm burn scars: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Burn scars are the lasting marks left on the skin following a burn injury, which can arise from exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burn scars can have both physical and psychological impacts, affecting mobility, sensitivity, and self-esteem.

OBJECTIVES

To explore and compare the efficacy of shock wave therapy (SWT) vs. conventional physical therapy in the treatment of partial-thickness forearm burn scars.

METHODS

Double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT). Seventy patients aged 20-55 with partial-thickness forearm burns were allocated into two groups: Group A (35 participants) got SWT, whereas Group B (35 participants) had traditional physical therapy with a deactivated applicator. Ultrasonography assessment, the Vancouver Scar Scale, and the Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) were evaluated at baseline, after 8 weeks (post intervention), and following an additional 8-week period of follow-up. Treatments Consisted of 24 sessions, each lasting 45 min, and conducted three times per week.

RESULTS

No notable changes were detected between groups at baseline assessment. Both groups exhibited statistically significant enhancements across all outcome measures (VAS, thickness, VSS, and BSHS) from pre to post and pre to follow-up, as evidenced by the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) that do not intersect zero in any comparison. Group A consistently had shorter and elevated confidence intervals (CIs); for instance, the VAS pre-post CI was (4.70, 6.36) in Group A compared to (4.19, 6.86) in Group B, and the BSHS pre-post CI was (26.23, 106.66) in Group A vs (28.07, 105.23) in Group B. Furthermore, Group A exhibited significant enhancement in VAS (η²p = 0.82 and 0.80), VSS (η²p = 0.80 and 0.79), and BSHS (η²p = 0.85 for both pre-post and pre-follow-up), signifying a considerable intervention impact.

CONCLUSION

SWT has been demonstrated to be effective in improving the properties of scar tissue, particularly by alleviating pain and enhancing the appearance of hypertrophic scars.