Dr Kate Miller^1,2, Ms Belinda  Kipping^1,2, Ms Emma Caldwell^1,2, Associate Professor Megan  Simons^1,2,3, Ms Miranda Campbell^1,2

¹Pegg Leditschke Burns Centre, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, ²Occupational Therapy Department, Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia, ³Centre for Children’s Burns and Trauma Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Abstract:

Vacuum massage therapy (VMT) is a non-invasive approach that utilizes mechanotransduction pathways to alter scar tissue using a mechanical device (Addock et al. 1998; Watson & Fodor, 1999). Despite being used clinically since the 1970s, for paediatric clinicians there continues to be a paucity of evidence demonstrating whether it is an effective and acceptable option as scar intervention (Moorgate et al., 2016).

Aims: (1) To assess acceptability (tolerance and adherence) of VMT in the paediatric population to the prescribed frequency, duration and amplitude of VMT administered; (2) To assess the clinical utility of its use within clinics; (3) To document early evidence of its impact on scar characteristics.

Methods: Using a mixed methods design, children (3-16years) with a burn scar that is negatively impacting on ROM or occupational participation, were approached to trial the VMT. Frequency, amplitude and duration of VMT Intervention was led by manufacturer and supplier, guidelines and training.   Patient and caregiver questionnaires, alongside Occupational Therapist (OT) reporting will detail adherence, patient tolerance and clinical utility (Smart, 2006). A chart audit will be used to document preliminarily evidence of effectiveness using OT recorded outcomes of scar characteristics and patient rated changes using the Brisbane Burns Scar Impact Profile (pre-post test) and VMT application details.

Results: The clinical utility and acceptability of VMT in children with burn scars will be discussed in terms of its preliminary application in this population (results unavailable at time of submission); and where results indicate, what are the future research implications.

References

1. Adcock D, Paulsen S, Davis S, Nanney L, Shack RB. (1998) Analysis of the cutaneous and systemic effects of Endermologie in the porcine model. Aesthet Surg J. Vol.18, pp414–20.
2. Watson J, Fodor P,. (1999) Cutcliffe B. Physiological effects of Endermologie: a preliminary report. Aesth Surg., Vol. 1, no. 9, pp39–45.
3. Moorgate, P., Anthonissen, M., Meirte, J., Van Daele, U., and Maertens, K. (2016) The physical and physiological effects of vacuum massage on the different skin layers: a current status of the literature, Burns & Trauma, Vol. 4, no.34, DOI 10.1186/s41038-016-0053-9
4. Smart A. (2006) A multi-dimensional model of clinical utility. Int J Qual Health Care, Vol. 18, No. 5, pp377–82.

Biography:

Kate is the Advanced Clinical OT within the burn centre at the QCH, with over 12 years spent in Burns care and research. Kate enjoys the changing and challenging nature of the burns environment where research, the consumer and new technologies constantly question our approaches to ensure better patient outcomes.