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document
A multicenter study on the use of pulsed low-intensity direct current for healing chronic stage II and stage III decubitus ulcers . BACKGROUND AND DESIGN Pulsed low-intensity direct current ( 300 to 600 microA ) has been used in a double-blind placebo multicenter study in the treatment of stage II and stage III chronic decubitus ulcers . RESULTS Seventy-four ulcers were treated in four centers . Forty-three patients were selected for the experimental group , and 31 control subjects used the sham instrument ( placebo group ) . In the treated group , 25 ulcers ( 58 % ) healed in 8 weeks , whereas in the placebo group , only one ulcer ( 3 % ) healed and most ulcers increased in size . Statistical analysis , based on surface area and ulcer depth before and after treatment , showed that low-intensity direct current had a significant influence on the healing rates for these ulcers ( P < .0001 ) . Experiments with guinea pigs ( n = 10 ) showed that pulsed low-intensity direct current caused a rapid calcium flux in the epidermis . CONCLUSIONS Pulsed low-intensity direct current represents a useful approach for the treatment of stage II and stage III chronic decubitus ulcers by increasing the healing rate . The growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes may be enhanced by pulsed low-intensity direct current due to changes in calcium homeostasis .
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Intervention_Physical
pulsed low-intensity direct current
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Intervention_Physical
Pulsed low-intensity direct current ( 300 to 600 microA )
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Intervention_Control
sham instrument ( placebo group ) .
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Intervention_Physical
low-intensity direct current
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Intervention_Physical
pulsed low-intensity direct current
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Intervention_Physical
Pulsed low-intensity direct current
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Intervention_Physical
pulsed low-intensity direct current
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Outcome_Physical
chronic stage II and stage III decubitus ulcers
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Outcome_Physical
stage II and stage III chronic decubitus ulcers
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Outcome_Physical
ulcers
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Outcome_Physical
ulcer
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Outcome_Physical
healing rates
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Outcome_Physical
rapid calcium flux
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Outcome_Physical
stage II and stage III chronic decubitus ulcers
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Outcome_Physical
calcium homeostasis
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Participant_Condition
chronic stage II
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Participant_Condition
stage III decubitus ulcers
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Participant_Condition
stage II
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Participant_Condition
stage III chronic decubitus ulcers
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Participant_Sample-size
Seventy-four
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Participant_Condition
ulcers
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Participant_Sample-size
Forty-three
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Participant_Sample-size
31