The effect of a radiant heat dressing on pressure ulcers.

The use of heat in wound healing has been demonstrated to aid oxygen flow and hence healing in acute wounds. However, the situation in chronic wounds is less clear. This study was designed to investigate the benefits of using a radiant heat therapy system in the treatment of Stage 3 and 4 pressure ulcers. Despite randomisation, patients receiving radiant heat therapy were more infirm than those receiving standard treatment. This prospective, single-centre, randomised trial resulted in an accelerated rate of healing for those receiving heat therapy compared to a standard treatment: time difference to 75% of original area = 6.4 days (p = 0.057), to 50% of original area = 9.6 days (p = 0.039), time to 25% = 7.2 days (p = 0.01). This new development warrants further investigation to fully assess the role of a thermoregulation system in chronic wound healing.