Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZHOU and COLLEAGUES, (1)Department of Health Care Studies, Daemen College, Amherst, NY 14226, USA. kehua.zhou@daemen.edu reviewed the literature with an emphasis upon randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and meta-analyses of topical and systemic oriental medicine (OM) treatments for chronic wounds.

Background

In East Asian countries, oriental medicine (OM) has been used for thousands of years to manage a wide variety of chronic wounds, but in western countries the role of OM in wound care remains to be established.

Methodology

To summarize current practices and available evidence of OM in the management of chronic wounds, a search of Chinese and English databases was conducted and summarized with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, and meta-analyses of topical and systemic OM treatments. Hundreds of reports were identified, mostly in the Chinese literature, but few randomized controlled clinical studies have been conducted.

Results

Available preclinical and clinical evidence suggests there may be a role for OM modalities, especially herbal medicine, in the management of chronic wounds. Before conducting the needed rigorous clinical studies, wound care experts should agree on and help standardize herbal formulations - a unique challenge for the usually individualized OM approach to care.

Conclusion

However, the literature suggests uncovering pathways for future research may help patients all over the world benefit from the thousands of years of documented experience managing chronic wounds with OM.

References

Zhou K(1), Brogan MS, Yang C, Tutuska J, Edsberg L. Oriental medicine and chronic wound care: theory, practice, and research .  Ostomy Wound Manage. 59(1):36-46. Jan 2013.