EFFECTS OF HYDROTHERAPY ON PRESSURE ULCER HEALING

Pressure ulcers are a prevalent and potentially serious medical proble m encountered in both the medical and rehabilitation settings. Because the progress of rehabilitation is often interrupted by the presence o f pressure ulcers, the efficient care of these wounds is of great inte rest to the rehabilitation team. Patients in two acute care facilities with Stage III or IV pressure ulcers were identified and consented to participate in the study contained herein. All wounds were mechanical ly debrided of necrotic tissue, and then the patients were randomly as signed to the conservative treatment group (A; n = 18) or the conserva tive treatment plus whirlpool group (B; n = 24). Conservative treatmen t included measures to maximize pressure relief and wound care with we t-to-wet dressings using normal saline. The dressings were changed twi ce daily and when they became soiled. Whirlpool was administered for 2 0 min per day in Group B patients. Only those patients whose ulcers we re followed-up for 2 or more wk were included in the study. Ulcers wer e then measured by a physician who was blinded as to the treatment gro ups. Ulcer dimension changes over time were compared between groups. T he results indicate that the conservative treatment plus whirlpool gro up improved at a significantly faster rate than did the conservative t reatment only group (P < 0.05).