Effect of Manual Acupuncture and Laser Acupuncture on Wound Closure in Rat with Deep Partial Thickness Burn Injury.

BACKGROUND

Burns are defined as tissue damage that occurs as a result of the action of heat. Although many advanced treatments have been made in burn therapy, slow wound healing remains a challenge in burn treatment. Acupuncture can accelerate burn healing through its anti-inflammatory effect, increasing re-epithelialization and angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the effect of manual acupuncture and laser acupuncture on the healing of burns that were observed macroscopically and microscopically.

METHODS

Thirty-six male Wistar rats with deep partial thickness burns were randomly divided into control group ( = 12), acupuncture group ( = 12), and laser acupuncture group ( = 12). Wound measurements and treatments were given every 2 days for 14 days.

RESULTS

On the 14th day of macroscopic evaluations, there was a significant difference ( = 0.009) between the acupuncture group (66.96 ± 9.17) and the control group (49.93 ± 9.15), and a significant difference ( = 0.009) between laser acupuncture group (72.48 ± 14.62) and the control group. However, there was no significant difference ( = 0.451) between acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups. On the 14th day of microscopic evaluations, there was a significant difference ( < 0.001) between the acupuncture group (16.17 ± 1.17) and the control group (10.33 ± 1.21), and a significant difference ( = 0.004) between the laser acupuncture group (17.83 ± 1.47) and the control group. However, there was no significant difference ( = 0.058) between acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that either acupuncture therapy or laser acupuncture therapy could be used as an adjunct therapy to accelerate burn healing.