Abstract :
Objective: Several non-medication techniques have been proposed for the treatment of chronic wounds. Electric
and magnetic fields, electromagnetic fields [EMFs], ultrasound [US], and photostimulation are some of these
techniques with promising potentials. However, the clinical efficacy of these techniques for different chronic
wounds is still not fully understood and standard guidelines on the allowed doses and possible side-effects
should be determined. This paper aims to comprehensively review the therapeutic efficacies and clinical
considerations of the main non-drug techniques for chronic wounds.
Methods: The databases of PubMed [1985-2016], EMBASE [1985-2016], Web of Sciences [1985-2016], and
Google Scholar [1980-2016] were searched using the set terms of "non-medication" OR "non-drug treatment"
AND "wound treatment". The obtained results were screened for the title and abstract by two authors and the
relevant papers were reviewed for further details.
Results: Pulsed EMFs [PEMFs], non-contact low frequency US or MIST therapy, and Low Level Laser
Therapy [LLLT] are the main non-drug techniques with promising effective outcomes for different wounds.
PEMFs and MIST therapy have been used in some clinical studies with promising outcomes. In addition
different lasers particularly HeNe lasers have shown therapeutic effect of superficial wounds. Despite of
rigorous evidence on the therapeutic efficiency of these techniques, the main limit on developing approved
clinical protocols of these techniques for wound treatment is the lack of definite dose-response on the clinical
trials of these techniques.
Conclusion: The available data showed the therapeutic efficacy of PEMFs, MIST, and LLLT techniques for
chronic wounds. Further in vitro and in vivo preclinical and clinical trials are needed to understand the
mechanism of actions of these techniques for developing clinical protocols and guidelines of these techniques
for treatment of different wounds.
Keyword :
Non-medication, Wound, Clinical Considerations, Treatment