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

Abstract

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 (n = 12), acupuncture group (n = 12), and laser acupuncture group (n = 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 (P = 0.009) between the acupuncture group (66.96 ± 9.17) and the control group (49.93 ± 9.15), and a significant difference (P = 0.009) between laser acupuncture group (72.48 ± 14.62) and the control group. However, there was no significant difference (P = 0.451) between acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups. On the 14th day of microscopic evaluations, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the acupuncture group (16.17 ± 1.17) and the control group (10.33 ± 1.21), and a significant difference (P = 0.004) between the laser acupuncture group (17.83 ± 1.47) and the control group. However, there was no significant difference (P = 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.

Keywords: acupuncture; burns; laser acupuncture; wound closure.

FIG. 1.

Diagram of methods used in this study. Color images are available online.

FIG. 2.

Chart of wound closure among the 3 groups. *P < 0.005. Color images are available online.

FIG. 3.

Descriptive observation chart of burn healing. Color images are available online.

FIG. 4.

Comparison of wound closure among control group (A), manual acupuncture group (B), and laser acupuncture group (C). It appears that the wound healing in the manual acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups was better than the control group. Color images are available online.

FIG. 5.

Microscopic scoring chart of burn healing among the 3 groups. Color images are available online.

FIG. 6.

Microscopic view of wounds on day 14, control group (A, B), manual acupuncture group (C, D), and laser acupuncture group (E, F). Re-epithelialization (blue arrow), blood vessel growth (yellow arrow), and inflammatory cell (red arrow) count were better in the manual acupuncture and laser acupuncture groups than in the control group. Images (A, C, E) use 4 × 10 magnification, whereas images (B, D, F) use 40 × 10 magnification. Color images are available online.