The Efficacy of Low-Temperature Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma (LTAPP) in the Multicenter Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Warangkana Tonaree, Sitthichoke Taweepraditpol, Natthapong Kongkunnavat et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicentre randomised controlled trial compared low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma (LTAPP) plus non-silver dressing with standard wound care for pressure ulcers in adults aged 18–80 years. Among ulcers from patients who attended at least four follow-up visits, 21 received LTAPP and 24 standard care. The abstract reports better trends with LTAPP in wound area and volume, healing indicators, PUSH scores and bacterial-load reduction. However, it also states that these differences did not reach statistical significance; no quantitative effect estimate is provided.
Key findings
- Among ulcers eligible after at least four follow-up visits, 21 were in the LTAPP group and 24 in the standard-care group.
- LTAPP showed favourable trends in wound area and volume, exudate, granulation, necrotic tissue and PUSH scores, without statistical significance.
- The LTAPP group had greater bacterial-load reduction without topical antibiotic use, according to the abstract.
Why it matters
Pressure-ulcer healing involves wound-size change, tissue characteristics and bacterial burden. This trial assessed LTAPP across these outcomes in a multicentre setting and suggests possible benefit, but the reported lack of statistical significance means the findings are not conclusive. The results support further evaluation rather than establishing LTAPP as an effective alternative to standard wound care.
What to keep in mind
The reported analysis included only 45 ulcers from patients attending at least four follow-up visits, and the abstract notes that differences were not statistically significant.