Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Given the new ideas on wound care offered by the eCASH (early Comfort using Analgesia, minimal Sedatives, and maximal Humane care) and the substantial differences in clinical treatment between acute and chronic wounds, we aimed to investigate the effect of comfort therapy under the eCASH concept on analgesic sedation and accelerated wound healing in patients with acute or chronic wounds. METHODS: This randomized clinical study was conducted in two parts: acute wounds and chronic wounds. Patients with acute wounds were allocated into the acute wound control group (AWCG) and the acute wound experimental group (AWEG). Patients with chronic wounds were allocated into the chronic wound control group (CWCG) and two experimental groups, in which they received intermittent negative pressure therapy (IPTEG) and continuous negative pressure therapy (CPTEG). On the basis of the standard treatment for patients in the control group, eCASH therapy was used in the experimental groups. In addition, pain intensity and procedural anxiety were evaluated using the visual analogue score (VAS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A). In addition, clinical effects were assessed on the basis of the size of the surface area, rate of healing, and concentration of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α) and growth factors (VEGF, bFGF, TGF-β1). RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the VAS score and HAM-A score in the experimental groups were significantly decreased after intervention (P < 0.05). After intervention, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in AWEG, IPTEG, and CPTEG were significantly lower than those in AWCG. In addition, the levels of VEGF, bFGF, and TGF-β1 in IPTEG and CPTEG were significantly higher than those in CWCG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that comfort therapy under the eCASH concept has a significant effect on ameliorating the pain and anxiety of patients, reducing the inflammatory reaction during the period of wound healing in the treatment of acute and chronic wounds. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: The trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200057981).