Here - EWMA 2013

E-POSTER PRESENTATIONS
EP 456
E-Poster: Devices & Intervention
A PRE-CLINICAL FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF AN ACELLULAR SCAFFOLD
INTENDED FOR THE TREATMENT OF HARD-TO-HEAL WOUNDS
Zee Upton 1 , E.L. Heinrichs 2 Gary Shooter 1 , Tristan Croll 1 , Derek Van Lonkhuyzen 1 ,
Yan Xie 1 , James Broadbent 1 , Dario Stupar 1 , Emily Lynam 1
1 Queensland University of Technology (Queensland, Australia)
2 Tissue Therapies Ltd.
Aim: Dermal wound healing is a biochemical and cellular process critical to life. While
the majority of the population will only ever experience successful wound healing
outcomes, some 1-3 % of those aged over 65 years will experience wound healing delay
or perpetuation. These hard-to-heal wounds are comprised of degraded and
dysfunctional extracellular matrix, yet the integrity of this structure is critical in the
processes of normal wound healing. As such, we developed an extracellular matrix
replacement that can replace dysfunctional extracellular matrix in hard-to-heal wounds
with the aim of restoring normal wound healing processes.
Methods: A novel synthetic matrix protein was evaluated for its ability (1) to act as an
acellular scaffold that can replace dysfunctional extracellular matrix and (2) to support
wound healing cellular functions both in-vitro and in-vivo.
Results: The synthetic protein demonstrated an ability to rapidly adsorb to the dermal
surface, permit cell attachment and facilitate the cellular functions essential to wound
healing. When applied to deep partial thickness wounds in a porcine animal model the
matrix protein also demonstrated the ability to reduce wound duration.
Conclusions: These in-vitro and in-vivo studies provide evidence that the synthetic
matrix protein has the ability to function as an acellular scaffold for wound healing
purposes, which could result in improvements in dermal wound healing. Further, clinical
studies have recently concluded demonstrating the effectiveness of the matrix as a
treatment for hard-to-heal wounds.
E-POSTER: DEVICES & INTERVENTION
EP 457
E-Poster: Devices & Intervention
RESOLVING WOUND PAIN WITH LOW INTENSITY LASER THERAPY: FINDINGS
FROM A PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY
William McGuiness 1 , L. Karimi 2 , C. Miller 3 , L. Donohue 3 , R. Nunn 3 , T. Czech 4 ,
C.A. Arnold 5 , J. Sunderland 6
1 La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia);
2 School of Public Health, La Trobe University (Melbourne, Australia);
3 RDNS Helen Macpherson Smith Institute of Community Health (Melbourne, Australia);
4 Australian Institute of Laser Therapy (Melbourne, Australia);
5 Caulfield Pain Management & Research Centre / Alfred Health (Melbourne, Australia);
6 Royal District Nursing Service (Melbourne, Australia).
Aim: Low intensity laser therapy (LILT) has had widespread use in the treatment of pain
since the 1960’s. Its capacity to resolve chronic wound pain requires more rigorous
evidence regarding its efficacy. A proof of concept study was conducted to suggest the
efficacy and feasibility of this treatment to resolve chronic wound pain in preparation for
larger clinical trials.
Methods: Fifty-seven community-dwelling older people experiencing unresolved wound
pain for a chronic leg wound were recruited to the trial and were subsequently
randomised to receive either (1) LILT treatment via a hand held device*, (2) LILT
treatment via a scanning device** or, (3) no LILT treatment (usual care). The primary
outcome measure was pain as measured using a measurement tool*** assessed over
12 weeks of monitoring. Effect sizes were calculated based from analysis of covariance
tests.
Results: Small to moderate effect sizes for pain reduction favoured the hand held laser
group when compared to the control and scanning laser groups in the first two weeks
(BPI Interference Score = 0.36; BPI Severity Score = 0.43) and six weeks (BPI
Interference Score = 0.22; BPI Severity Score = 0.29) of follow-up. No effect was
observed after 12 weeks of follow-up.
Discussion/Conclusions: Further evaluation of the use of LILT which incorporates a
number of refinements to the study method is required in preparation for larger clinical
trials.
* Polylaser Trion hand held cluster laser
** Photonic 500 Acumed
*** Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
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