Eight months of integrated yoga, hydrotherapy and acupuncture on serum IgE levels and symptoms severity of a patient with chronic allergic rhinosinusitis: A case report.

A 27-year-old man with Allergic rhino sinusitis presented to our hospital in July 2020 with complaints of continuous sneezing, coughing while rising from bed for half an hour, and the same complaints repeated in the afternoon for half an hour, as well as a continuous dry cough for half an hour in the evening. He also had complaints of itching and skin rashes, particularly in his limbs. He underwent yoga (45 minutes, 5-6 days a week) including Jalaneti (a yogic cleansing technique, i.e. nasal irrigation with warm salt water for twice a week), hydrotherapy (enema using neem leaves paste mixed with water and steam bath on first day, followed by facial steam on alternate days) and Acupuncture (one session a week) for 8 months. Results showed a reduction in immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and symptom severity suggesting that integrated yoga, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture are effective in the management of chronic allergic rhinosinusitis. All treatments were well tolerated without adverse effects. Though the result is encouraging, further studies are required with a larger sample size.

Aquatic therapy in congenital malformation during the use of external fixator for bone lengthening: It is possible?

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to describe the rehabilitation of individuals with Congenital Malformations (CMF) during the use of an External Fixator (EF) in Aquatic Therapy (AT) and to analyze the association between diagnosis, EF type and location with rehabilitation process outcomes, surgical intervention, and adverse effects. METHODS: This retrospective study included 29 medical records from which the personal and rehabilitation data of the patient were collected. The AT used was described and the outcome variables were associated. The medical records were selected by screening the database of the CMF clinic at the AACD. The inclusion criteria were participants with CMF who used EF treated between 2011 and 2019 of both genders and without age restriction. The exclusion criteria were incomplete medical record data or not undergoing AT while using EF. The extracted data included diagnosis, gender, age, EF type and location, objective of the surgery, adverse events, surgical interventions, time of rehabilitation in AT, physiotherapeutic objectives, and rehabilitation process outcomes in AT. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 12.1 ± 3.99 years, with male predominance (55 %) and hemimelia cases (37 %). The most used EF was circular (51 %), located in the femur (37 %), and the main objective of surgery was bone lengthening (52 %). The most recurrent adverse effect was infection (62 %) and 76 % completed AT. There was no association between the variables analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to describe CMF rehabilitation with EF in AT. There was no association between the variables analyzed.

Comparison of aquatic physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise in patients with chronic low back pain.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effectiveness of aquatic physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise in the physical and functional performance of patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Twenty-six participants were randomized into 3 groups, namely an aquatic physiotherapy group (AG), a therapeutic exercise group (EG), and a control group (CG). The pain, disability, and quality of life were compared before and after the exercise protocols for 2 months, twice a week, on alternate days, for 60 min. For statistical analyses, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to test the difference between the groups; the Wilcoxon test and the effect size were used for before-and-after comparisons. RESULTS: Twenty participants completed the study. There was a significant difference improvement in pain between the AG and the EG (p = 0.004), between the EG and the CG (p = 0.05), and in social role functioning between the groups (p = 0.02). No differences were observed in the other analyzed variables between the groups. Compared to the pre-treatment state, there were significant improvements in the AG in terms of pain (p = 0.02), functionality (p = 0.03), and general health status (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The AG group showed significant and clinical improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life. Improvements related to social aspects were found in the EG compared to the CG. The water provides a safe environment that facilitates the onset of exercise, so aquatic physiotherapy could be considered the first recommendation for patients with low back pain.

Severe back labor pain masks a scald caused by shower hydrotherapy: a case report.

Shower hydrotherapy is generally considered benign during labor. We report a case of extensive scalds in a primigravida who used shower hydrotherapy to treat severe back labor pain from fetal malposition. Interestingly, her back pain was so severe that she felt no pain as her scald developed, describing the hot water from the showerhead as the only measure which "soothed" her pain. Her scald was diagnosed presumptively during assessment for epidural analgesia. The nature of her back labor pain, associated with occiput posterior fetal head position and her management are described. Severe pain from persistent fetal malposition may alter somatic pain perception during labor, increasing burn risks during shower hydrotherapy. These women are also at increased risk of operative delivery and infection risks from inadvertent neuraxial blockade after burns. Improved prevention strategies and vigilance for scalds are warranted in women with severe back labor undergoing shower hydrotherapy, including by anesthesiologists assessing them for neuraxial blockade.

Efficacy of aquatic vs land-based therapy for pain management in women with fibromyalgia: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of two physiotherapeutic interventions - aquatic therapy (AT) and land-based therapy (LBT) - for reducing pain in women with fibromyalgia. DESIGN: Single-blind, randomised controlled, equivalence trial. SETTING: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Association in A Coruña, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Forty women with fibromyalgia were assigned at random in a 1:1 manner to two groups: AT (n = 20) and LBT (n = 20). INTERVENTIONS: Two therapeutic exercise programmes, with 60-min sessions, were undertaken three times per week for 12 weeks. Sessions were carried out in groups by a trained physiotherapist. OUTCOME: The primary outcome was pain intensity (visual analogue scale). The secondary outcomes were pressure pain threshold (algometer), quality of life (Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory) and physical ability (6-Minute Walk Test). Patients were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks (post-treatment) and 18 weeks (follow-up). The statistical analysis was per-protocol. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate significance. Effect size was calculated. RESULTS: The mean age was 50 [standard deviation (SD) 9] years, with median body mass index of 27 [interquartile range (IQR) 25-30] kg/m2 and median symptom duration of 11 (IQR 6-15) years. No differences were observed between the groups post-treatment, but differences in favour of AT were found in pain intensity [2.7 (IQR 1.5-4.9) vs 5.5 (IQR 3.3-7.6); p= 0.023; large effect, Cohen's d= 0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1-1.5] and sleep quality [12.0 (IQR 7.3-15.3) vs 15.0 (IQR 13.0-17.0); p= 0.030; large effect, Cohen's d= 0.8; 95% CI 0.1-1.5] at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that AT is better than LBT for reducing pain intensity and improving sleep quality after 6 weeks of follow-up. AT may be a good treatment option for women with fibromyalgia. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02695875 CONTRIBUTION OF THE PAPER.

Spa therapy and peripheral serotonin and dopamine function: a systematic review.

Spa therapy consists of multiple techniques based on the healing effects of water, including hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and mud therapy, often combined with therapeutic exercises, massage, or physical therapy. Balneotherapy is a clinically effective complementary approach in the treatment of low-grade inflammation- and stress-related pathologies, especially rheumatic conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The main objective of this investigation was to conduct a systematic review analyzing the available evidence on the effect of spa therapy on serotonin and dopamine function. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were used from June to July 2023. Exclusion criteria were (1) articles not written in English, (2) full text not available, (3) article not related to the objective of the review. JADAD scale was used for methodological quality evaluation. Four studies were included in the systematic review. Two studies were related to serotonin in healthy individuals, one to serotonin in fibromyalgia, and one to dopamine in healthy individuals. One of the studies evaluated hydrotherapy, another one balneotherapy and mud-bath therapy, and the other two assessed balneotherapy interventions. Studies were very heterogeneous, and their methodological quality was low, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions regarding the effect of spa therapy on peripheral serotonin and dopamine function. The findings of this review highlight the lack of studies evaluating these neurotransmitters and hormones in the context of spa therapy. Further research is needed to evaluate the potential effects of these therapies on serotonin or dopamine function.

Does hydrotherapy influence plasma glucose levels in type 2 diabetes? - A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Hydrotherapy is a commonly used treatment modality to manage various conditions including diabetes in the Naturopathy system of medicine. The objective of the current scoping review is to find the effectiveness of hydrotherapy on plasma blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes. CONTENT: Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework was adopted for this scoping review. The studies which used hydrotherapy intervention for the management of diabetes or the effect of hydrotherapy on plasma glucose levels were considered eligible. PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and Google scholar were searched for English- language published articles till December 20, 2022. The following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keyword search terms were used ("diabetes" OR "type 2 diabetes" OR "diabetes mellitus" OR "plasma glucose level") AND ("hydrotherapy" OR "water therapy" OR "balneotherapy"). Two investigators independently assessed the studies for inclusion. Review articles, abstracts, and articles including the aquatic exercises as interventions were excluded. SUMMARY: In total, six studies met the inclusion criteria. Out of six, two studies used hot therapies, two studies cold therapy, and the remaining two used both hot and cold as interventions. The study results showed that hydrotherapy can be used as an effective intervention tool for blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. OUTLOOK: Integrating hydrotherapy treatments alongside conventional management can reduce blood glucose levels and thus reduce diabetes-related complications.

Effect of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on blood pressure: a mini-review.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is one of the most common health conditions. When your blood pressure is high for a long term, it can cause health problems, such as heart disease. In addition to the main methods of treatment, there are various methods of adjuvant therapy, one of the most common of which is hydrotherapy. In this review study, we examined the effects of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on blood pressure. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Science Direct databases until April 2022 using related keywords. In summary, the current study shows that different hydrotherapy methods may improve blood pressure. Hydrotherapy as one of the adjunctive therapy methods can be effective in lowering blood pressure. Blood circulation is smoothed by the warmth of the water. This improvement may be achieved by regulating heart rate, releasing hormones that control blood pressure, or regulating the activity of baroreceptors or chemoreceptors. In addition to using medications, hypertension patients also use non-pharmacological approaches in their care, including hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and warm water foot soaks performed at home. Although several lines of evidence show the potential effects of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on blood pressure, many clinical trials are needed.

Efficacy of hydrotherapy, spa therapy, and balneotherapy on sleep quality: a systematic review.

The purpose of this article was to review and assess the results obtained from human studies on the effects of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on sleep disorders. In this study, databases such as Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, and sciences direct database were searched from the beginning to September 2022. All human studies that examined the effect of hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, and spa therapy on sleep disorders were published in the form of a full article in English. In the end, only 18 of the 189 articles met the criteria for analysis. Most studies have shown that balneotherapy, spa therapy, and hydrotherapy may by affecting some hormones such as histamine, serotonin, sympathetic nerves, and regulating body temperature led to increased quality and quantity of sleep. Also, the results obtained from Downs and Black show that 3 studies were rated as very good, 7 studies as good, 7 studies as fair, and 1 study as weak. The results of studies also showed that hydrotherapy leads to an improvement in the PSQI score index. Nevertheless, more clinical trials are needed to determine the mechanism of action of hydrotherapy on sleep disorders.

Mobilizing physiotherapy knowledge: Understanding the best evidence and barriers to implementation of hydrotherapy for musculoskeletal disease.

OBJECTIVES: To explore two linked strategies to highlight the best current available evidence for hydrotherapy and to explore the barriers and enablers to mobilizing this evidence into practice. METHOD: Phase 1: The best published evidence for hydrotherapy was collated using a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) methodology. The focus was the best available research evidence for hydrotherapy in musculoskeletal conditions (i.e. osteoarthritis (OA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and low back pain (LBP)). Once evaluated for quality, a summary of the evidence was produced in a Clinical Bottom Line (CBL). Phase 2: A Focus Group explored the: CBL, the barriers and facilitators of embedding the best evidence for hydrotherapy into practice. RESULTS: Phase 1: The CAT identified seven studies that indicated hydrotherapy had beneficial, although short term, effects for common musculoskeletal conditions. Phase 2: Six participants from primary, secondary care, private practice, and education discussed the evidence identified. They highlighted issues such as: understanding the value of hydrotherapy, an overuse of quantitative methodologies and the quality of existing research as being barriers to this knowledge being actively mobilized into clinical care. CONCLUSIONS: These two linked enquiries (CAT and Focus Group) identified the best evidence and the basis for discussion to explore barriers and facilitators of evidence use in practice. This gave an understanding of the reasons for the research to practice gap and thereby allows planning of knowledge mobilization strategies to reduce this.

Efficacy of hydrotherapy, spa therapy, and balneotherapy for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory diseases that have significant skin complications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic study was to evaluate the evidence obtained from human studies on the effects of hydrotherapy, spa therapy, and balneotherapy in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. METHODS: The present systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements. Also, for this study databases such as Embase, PubMed, Scopus ProQuest, and sciences direct database were searched from the beginning to April 2021. RESULTS: All human studies that examined the effect of balneotherapy, spa therapy, and hydrotherapy on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis were published in the form of a full article in English. In the end, only 22 of the 424 articles met the criteria for analysis. Most studies have shown that balneotherapy, spa therapy, and hydrotherapy may reduce the effects of the disease by reducing inflammation and improving living conditions. In addition, the results of the Downs and Black score show that seven studies received very good scores, three studies received good scores, nine studies received fair scores, and three studies received poor scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of studies also showed that hydrotherapy leads to an improvement in the PASI score index. Nevertheless, more clinical trials are needed to determine the mechanism of action of hydrotherapy on these diseases.

The Effect of Cold-Water Hydrotherapy According to Sebastian Kneipp for Immune Stimulation: A Nonrandomized, Controlled, Explorative, Mixed-Methods Clinical Study.

Highlights Home-based hydrotherapy leads to fewer missed kindergarten-days in total. In the application group, more fever days could be registered. Hydrotherapy, according to the hormesis principle by Sebastian Kneipp, aims to reduce infections of the lower respiratory tract. Parents participation motivated by increase in applicable health knowledge for their children. Objectives: This study investigates the effect of cold-water hydrotherapy stimulation according to the hormesis principle by Sebastian Kneipp on the number of missing kindergarten-days, fever days, and respiratory tract infections in children aged 3-6 years. Study design: A nonrandomized, controlled, explorative, mixed-methods clinical study. Intervention: The hydrotherapeutic intervention treated children aged 3-6 years with Kneipp arm affusions over 6 weeks. The control group received no intervention. Number of missed kindergarten-days, fever days, and respiratory tract infections were assessed by means of a digital diary. Through a self-developed structured questionnaire, sociodemographic data of both groups were compared and reason for participation in the study was recorded and qualitatively evaluated. Results: Twenty children participants and their parents in the intervention group and 18 in the control group were evaluated. The intervention was conducted at home by the parents. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups but still showed intermediate effect sizes (indicating an underpowered study). These effect sizes point to a potentially lower proportion of children in the application group versus the control group with missed kindergarten-days in total (d = 0.67), days missed due to fever (d = 0.29), and infections of the lower respiratory tract (d = 0.60). In a future study, these parameters will thus serve as promising factors for evaluation. Parent's stated reasons for participation interest were to improve health, increase their own health knowledge, and because of their interest in alternative therapies and to support research. Conclusions: Cold-water hydrotherapy stimulation, according to the hormesis principle by Sebastian Kneipp, did reduce the number of days absent in kindergarten in total in the intervention group and lower respiratory tract infections occurred less frequently. Parent' participation interest demonstrated a desire to increase health literacy and implement this with their own children. Due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted cautiously. Clinical Trial Registration Number: German Register of Clinical Trials (DRKS): ID 00017562.

Adecuación de la terapia hidrocinética en el paciente ortopédico-traumatológico: un estudio transversal / Appropriateness of hydrokinesitherapy in the orthopedic-traumatological patient: a cross sectional surve

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hydrokinesitherapy is a rehabilitation method used for the treatment of different types of orthopedic, neurological, respiratory problems, etc. However, the existing literature presents not so much evidence regarding the greater efficacy of water treatment compared to dry treatment in patients with post-traumatic outcomes. Objective: Through the administration of a questionnaire, we tried to investigate the rehabilitation experience of hydrokinetic therapists (trained with the so-called Sequential and Preparatory Approach) in order to understand hydrokinesitherapy areas and methods of proper application based on experts' opinion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2020 by administering a questionnaire to physiotherapists trained in hydrokinesitherapy according to the Sequential and Preparatory Approach method, with the aim to investigate their opinion on the use of hydrokinesitherapy in patients with various orthopedic-traumatological problems. Microsoft FORMS® platform was used for the administration of the questionnaire. Results: Sixty-two users participated in the study. From their answers emerged that the use of hydrokinesitherapy is not recommended for the treatment of post-traumatic hypersensitization of peri-lesional tissues (hypersensitive scars; general hypersensitization) and neuropathic syndromes (of the upper and lower limbs). Conclusions: The data obtained from administering the questionnaire were not sufficient to create a specific path to define the appropriateness of hydrokinesitherapy for some orthopedic-traumatological problems but could be considered a good starting point on which to build future developments through further studies.

RESUMEN Introducción: La terapia hidrocinética es un método rehabilitador utilizado para el tratamiento de diferentes tipos de problemas ortopédicos, neurológicos, respiratorios, entre otros. Sin embargo, en la literatura existente no abundan evidencias en cuanto a la mayor eficacia del tratamiento con agua en comparación con el tratamiento seco en pacientes con resultados traumáticos. Objetivo: A través de un cuestionario, se intentó investigar la experiencia de rehabilitación de los terapeutas hidrocinéticos (entrenados con el llamado Enfoque Secuencial y Preparatorio) para comprender las áreas de la terapia hidrocinética y los métodos de aplicación adecuados con base en la opinión de expertos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en el año 2020 mediante la administración de un cuestionario a fisioterapeutas formados en la terapia hidrocinética según el método de Abordaje Secuencial y Preparatorio, con el objetivo de averiguar su opinión sobre el uso de la terapia hidrocinética en pacientes con diversos problemas ortopédico-traumatológicos. Se utilizó la plataforma Microsoft FORMS® para la administración del cuestionario. Resultados: Sesenta y dos usuarios participaron en el estudio. De sus respuestas surgió que no se recomienda el uso de la terapia hidrocinética para el tratamiento de la hipersensibilización postraumática de los tejidos perilesionales (cicatrices hipersensibles; hipersensibilización general) y síndromes neuropáticos (de miembros superiores e inferiores). Conclusiones: Los datos obtenidos del cuestionario no fueron suficientes para crear una ruta específica que defina la idoneidad de la terapia hidrocinética para algunos problemas ortopédicos-traumatológicos, pero podría considerarse un buen punto de partida para construir futuros desarrollos a través de estudios adicionales.

Water therapies (hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy) for patients with cancer: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Water therapies as hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy are often used in the relief of disease- and treatment-associated symptoms of cancer patients. Yet, a systematic review for the evidence of water therapy including all cancer entities has not been conducted to date. PURPOSE: Oncological patients often suffer from symptoms which in patients with other diseases are successfully treated with water therapy. We want to gather more information about the benefits and risks of water therapy for cancer patients. METHOD: In May 2020, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL and PubMed) to find studies concerning the use, effectiveness and potential harm of water therapy on cancer patients. RESULTS: Of 3165 search results, 10 publications concerning 12 studies with 430 patients were included in this systematic review. The patients treated with water therapy were mainly diagnosed with breast cancer. The therapy concepts included aqua lymphatic therapy, aquatic exercises, foot bathes and whole-body bathes. Outcomes were state of lymphedema, quality of life, fatigue, BMI, vital parameters, anxiety and pain. The quality of the studies was assessed with the AMSTAR2-instrument, the SIGN-checklist and the IHE-Instruments. The studies had moderate quality and reported heterogeneous results. Some studies reported significantly improved quality of life, extent of lymphedema, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue and BMI while other studies did not find any changes concerning these endpoints. CONCLUSION: Due to the very heterogeneous results and methodical limitations of the included studies, a clear statement regarding the effectiveness of water therapy on cancer patients is not possible.

Mathematical Simulation and Numerical Computation of the Temperature Profiles in the Peripherals of Human Brain during the Tepid Sponge Treatment to Fever.

BACKGROUND: Fever is one of the frequently occurring diseases in human beings, and the body is said to have befallen in fever if the arterial or internal body temperature rises to 38°C. The patient who suffers from fever is either given paracetamol or tepid sponging or both. OBJECTIVE: This paper is aimed at studying the effects of the tepid sponge in normalizing the high temperature of the human body during fever. Among the various available methods for tepid sponging, the impact of holding a cool wet cloth on the forehead for reducing the fever is analyzed and pictured graphically. METHOD: For analyzing the effects of tepid sponge on the temperature distribution of the domain consisting of scalp, skull, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a cool wet cloth is brought in contact with the skin allowing the heat to transfer from the brain to the wet cloth through these layers. The heat transfer in living biological tissues is different from ordinary heat transfer in other nonliving materials. Therefore, a model based on the bioheat equation has been constructed. The model has been solved by numerical methods for both steady- and unsteady-state cases. The domain, which consists of the scalp, skull, and CSF layers of the human head, has been discretized into four equal parts along the axes of the three-dimensional coordinate system. The forward difference and forward time centered space approximations were employed for numerical temperature distribution results at the nodal points. RESULTS: The effects of tepid sponge in reducing the body temperature with fever at 38°C, 39.5°C, and 41°C have been numerically calculated, and the results were pictured graphically. For transient cases, the corresponding calculations have been carried out at times t = 2 minutes, 4 minutes, and 6 minutes. CONCLUSION: Among all the available remedies to fever, tepid sponging has shown a significant effect in controlling fever.

Clinical utilization of a sous vide device in the acute rewarming of frostbitten extremities.

The current standard of care for acute frostbite rewarming is the use of a circulating warm water bath at a temperature of 37 °C to 39 °C. There is no standardized method to achieve this. Manual management of a warm water bath can be inefficient and time consuming. This case describes the clinical use of a sous vide cooking device to create and maintain a circulating warm water bath to rewarm acute frostbite. A 34 year-old male presented to the emergency department with acute frostbite. Each of the patient's feet were placed in a water bath with a sous vide device attached to the side of the basin and set to 38 °C. Temperatures were recorded every 2 m from 2 thermometers. Once target temperature was achieved, the extremities were rewarmed for 30 m. The water baths required an average of 25 m to reach target temperature and maintained the target temperature within ±1 °C for the duration of the rewarming. The extremities were clinically thawed in one session and there were no adverse events. The patient was seen by plastic and vascular surgery and admitted to the hospital for conservative management. He was discharged on hospital day 3 and did not require any amputations. A sous vide device can be used clinically to heat and maintain a water bath and successfully rewarm frostbitten extremities in one 30 m cycle. No adverse events were reported and providers rated this as a convenient method of water bath management.

Effect of Subcutaneous Topical Ozone Therapy on Second-Degree Burn Wounds in Rats: An Experimental Study.

Burns are one of the most severe traumas, causing coagulative destruction of the skin. The use of various products that accelerate wound healing in patients with burns may affect rates of patient survival and reduce complications. We studied the effects of subcutaneous ozone injection on second-degree burn wounds in an animal model. For this study, 72 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided randomly into the following three groups: control group, silver sulfadiazine group, and ozone group; each group was then divided randomly into two subgroups (day 7 or day 14 examination and euthanized). Superficial partial-thickness burns were created on the lower back. In the control group, subcutaneous 0.9% serum saline was injected daily into the burn area. In the silver sulfadiazine group, burns were dressed daily with silver sulfadiazine. In the ozone group, subcutaneous ozone was injected daily into the burn area. We performed tissue hydroxyproline level measurements and histopathological evaluations. When groups were compared in terms of weight change, no significant difference was found between day 7 and day 14. With regard to tissue hydroxyproline levels, the ozone group had significantly higher levels on both days 7 and 14 (P < .001). In histopathological evaluations, we determined that wound healing in the ozone group was significantly higher than in the other groups. We found that subcutaneous ozone therapy was more effective than silver sulfadiazine in the healing process of second-degree burn wounds and could be safely used in the treatment of burn wounds.