Treatment of chronic wounds with cold plasma: a randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study
Robert Strohal, Martina Mittlböck, Lisa Gebhardt, Gilbert Hämmerle
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the wound healing properties of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in patients with chronic wounds. METHOD: This was a prospective, multicentre, two-arm, randomised, single-blind clinical study which compared the wound healing treatment of CAP with placebo, both of which were combined with best practice wound care. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 70 patients: 35 in the CAP group and 35 in the placebo group. There was a statistically significant (p<0.0001) reduction in the wound area at the end of the study, and faster wound healing, with the use of CAP compared with a placebo device. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that without requiring adjunctive therapies, the CAP device represents a safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective therapeutic option for wounds in that it promotes their rapid healing.