Burn Scar
Conditions
Keywords
burn scar, pruritus, pulsed electromagnetic field
Brief summary
This study will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in pruritus in patients with burn scars.
Detailed description
Burn injuries are among the most devastating and complex forms of trauma, often requiring prolonged medical care and rehabilitation. These injuries can cause substantial damage to the skin and underlying tissues, leading to acute complications such as infection, fluid loss, and metabolic dysregulation. However, the long-term consequences of burn injuries extend beyond the initial trauma, significantly affecting survivors' physical and psychological well-being .The pathophysiology of burn scar pruritus is complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of nerve regeneration, inflammation, and abnormal scar tissue remodeling. During the healing process, damaged nerve fibers regenerate in an unorganized manner, leading to hyperexcitability and an increased sensation of itch. This aberrant nerve regrowth is thought to be a key driver of neuropathic itch in burn scars. Evidence suggests that PEMF therapy may influence nerve signaling pathways involved in neuropathic and inflammatory itch. By addressing both neural and inflammatory components, PEMF therapy offers a novel mechanism of action that could be particularly beneficial for burn survivors. However, its efficacy in the context of burn scar pruritus has not been rigorously evaluated, highlighting the need for clinical research .
Interventions
The pulsed electromagnetic field applicator will be positioned 2 cm above the affected burn scar area, ensuring full coverage of the scar with Frequency: 27.12 MHz, Pulse duration: 65 microseconds, and Intensity: 20 Gauss. the patients will receive also standard care
OTHERstandard care
the patients will receive standard care in the form of Application of topical emollients (e.g., silicone-based creams) twice daily to maintain hydration, Moisturizing skin care routines to prevent dryness and irritation, and Gentle scar massage for 10 minutes daily to improve scar pliability.
Sponsors
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
opaque sealed envelope
Intervention model description
pulsed electromagnetic field and standard care
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
25 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients aged 25-40 years. * Patients with second and third-degree burn scars sustained at least 3 months prior to enrollment. * Patients experiencing a pruritus score ≥ 5 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). * Patients who have not undergone prior PEMF therapy or other physical therapy interventions for pruritus in the past 3 months.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with cardiac pacemakers, implanted defibrillators, or other electronic medical devices. * Pregnant or lactating women. * Patients with uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) or active skin infections. * Patients with psychological disorders that would interfere with their ability to adhere to the treatment protocol. * Patients with allergic reaction to food or drugs
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| pain intensity | up to 6 weeks | The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) will be used to measure the intensity of pruritus experienced by participants. The scale consists of a 10 cm horizontal line where 0 cm represents "No itch at all," and 10 cm represents "The worst itch imaginable." Participants will be asked to place a vertical mark on the line corresponding to the severity of their pruritus. The distance from the left end of the scale to the mark, measured in centimeters, will represent the participant's itching score, ranging from 0 to 10. |
| life disability | up to 6 weeks | The ItchyQoL questionnaire will evaluate the impact of pruritus on participants' quality of life across three domains: symptoms, functional limitations, and emotional well-being. It is a 22-item self-administered tool scored on a 5-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Extremely). Higher scores indicate a greater negative impact of itch on quality of life, with total scores ranging from 22 to 110. Subdomain scores will also be calculated to provide a detailed analysis of how itch affects daily activities and emotional well-being.The assessment time for completing the ItchyQoL is typically 5-10 minutes, depending on the patient's literacy level and familiarity with self-reported questionnaires. |
Contacts
CONTACTAsmaa Eliwa, master
Outcome results
None listed