Effect of matrix rhythm therapy in diabetic foot ulcer healing: A case report

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the major complications following diabetes. In India, 15% of diabetic patient develop DFU once in their lifetime. Neuropathy associated with diabetes is a major factor in development of foot ulcer in such patients. Infection, peripheral arterial diseases, altered functions of white blood cells, stem cells and regenerating tissues, and co-morbidities lead to delayed wound healing. Matrix rhythm therapy is a recent advancement in the field of Physiotherapy. It provides external oscillation that activates normal rhythm of cell that is between 8 and 12 Hz which improves cellular function within cell and extracellular matrix, enhancing tissue healing. A 70-year-old female presented with infected diabetic foot ulcer on her right foot in out-patient department of KLE hospital. She had nonhealing ulcer since one and half months and undergone conservative treatment of wound care along with strategies of diabetic foot care. Clinical findings: Subject complained of pain with score of 2 at rest and 6 while walking which was recorded on the basis of Visual Analogue Scale. Wound appeared ischemic and non-healing. On wound assessment, size of wound was 12 mm in diameter and 6 mm depth. It was identified as Type D grade I on the basis of classification of wound provided by University of Texas Health Science center. Intervention: Matrix rhythm therapy was applied on posterior aspect of leg region extending around wound area once a week for 5 weeks with treatment duration of 1 h. Result: Pain of the subject after 5 weeks of intervention was 0 at rest and 2 while walking on the basis of VAS. Size of wound decreased with dimension of 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm depth and categorized as Type A grade 1. Conclusion: Matrix rhythm therapy could be considered as adjunct in wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer.